Foreign Minister Huitfeldt deeply concerned about situation in Syria

The UN estimates that more than 350 000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict since it began in 2011. More than 6.5 million people have fled from Syria and roughly the same number are internally displaced in the country. The situation for the population has deteriorated further during the coronavirus pandemic. The scale of destruction in Syria is enormous, and an early recovery approach is vital to strengthen sectors that are critical for people’s health and safety, such as education, food security, healthcare and water supply. The funding provided by Norway will also go towards measures that can lead to more lasting improvements in these sectors in the most vulnerable areas of Syria.  

Norway is one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid to people affected by the conflict in Syria, and has provided over NOK 15 billion in humanitarian support during the course of the last ten years. In 2021, Norway will provide a total of approximately NOK 1.6 billion in support.

‘In recent weeks, violence has flared up in a number of areas in Syria. A national ceasefire and a political solution are essential to bring an end to the suffering of the Syrian people,’ Ms Huitfeldt said. 

Norway and Ireland are co-penholders in the Security Council on the resolution on humanitarian access in Syria. The resolution is crucial for enabling the UN to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance, in the form of tents, food and medicines, across the border into Syria.

Read more about Norway’s efforts in the Security Council and the cross-border humanitarian aid operation here: Cross-border humanitarian aid to Syria is vital - regjeringen.no