UK Commits £50 Million Aid to Syrians After Assad's Fall, Supports Transitional Government

Dec 15, 2024, 07:02 PM

The UK government has announced a £50 million humanitarian aid package for vulnerable Syrians following the recent overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The aid, which will be delivered through UN agencies and NGOs, aims to support Syrians within the country and refugees in neighboring Lebanon and Jordan. This financial contribution, equivalent to approximately €60.1 million, is expected to provide immediate assistance to more than a million people, including food, shelter, emergency healthcare, and protection. Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the importance of this aid in helping Syrians chart a new course after the fall of Assad's regime, which he described as a 'once-in-a-generation chance'. The aid package also includes £120,000 for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to support the elimination of chemical weapons in Syria. The announcement comes after international talks in Aqaba, Jordan, where the UK and other nations agreed on principles to support a Syrian-led transitional political process, focusing on establishing a non-sectarian, representative government, protecting human rights, ensuring access for humanitarian aid, and combating terrorism. The UK has also had diplomatic contact with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which led the overthrow, despite its proscribed status.