The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

EU pledges assistance to Syrian refugees

At the conclusion of the meeting Monday in Brussels, the foreign ministers also expressed support for United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura‘s proposal to establish “freeze zones” in the conflict-ridden country.

“The proposed ‘freezes’ are intended first and foremost to lead to a de-escalation of violence, starting with specific areas, and allow for a return to some normalcy for the civilians caught in the conflict,” de Mistura said at a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in November.

To date, the EU has provided $3.74 billion in aid to Syria and neighboring countries hosting Syrians displaced by the conflict.

“The EU will sustain its efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the people affected by the crisis and to build its resilience through recovery assistance and basic services in Syria and the neighboring countries alike.”

No figure for the EU’s sustained contributions was provided.

The Foreign Affairs Council, recalling the temporary suspension of World Food Programme assistance to Syrian refugees, urged “the international community to step up its funding and assistance in view of the winter and in response to the forthcoming 2015 appeals.”

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