London announces 50 million sterling aid for Syrians
The British government will release £50 million (60.1 million) to help the most vulnerable Syrians in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, the British Foreign Ministry announced today. The fall of the appalling Assad regime offers an opportunity for the people of Syria once given to a generation,” Foreign Minister David Lami said. “We are committed to supporting the Syrian people as it sets a new course”. This financial contribution, which will be paid mainly to UN services, is expected to urgently strengthen humanitarian aid provided to the Syrian population, in particular to basic goods, and restore the operation of basic services such as hospitals and schools.
At the same time, London announces financial assistance of GBP 120,000 (144,300) to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), in order to support its work on the elimination of chemical weapons in the country.
In addition, London intends to “work diplomatically to contribute to guaranteeing a better governance for Syria’s future”, assured David Lami, adding that “it is important that the future Syrian government should include all parties to consolidate the stability and respect that the Syrian people deserve.” Millions of Syrians need humanitarian aid after over a decade of civil war that destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure and displaced a large number of civilians. Some of the many Syrians who fled the country return from neighbouring states. Thirty million sterling will provide “direct assistance to more than one million people, including food, shelter, emergency health care and protection for the most vulnerable,” according to Foraine Serpent’s announcement.
This money, which will be distributed mostly through UN channels, will support “emerging needs including the restoration of basic services such as water, hospitals and schools”.
To help Syrians in neighbouring countries, £10 million will be given to the World Food Programme (WFP) in Lebanon and £10 million will go to Jordan through the WFP and the UN Refugee Service (UNHCR).
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