Norway pledges NOK 460 million for Syria

“Norway is providing NOK 460 million in response to the UN appeal for emergency relief for Syria. The money will be used to help victims of the conflict in both Syria and its neighbouring countries. Funding has also been set aside for projects to increase the neighbouring countries’ capacity to deal with the large number of Syrian refugees,” said Foreign Minister Børge Brende.

The second international High-Level Pledging Conference for Syria is being held today in Kuwait. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is chairing the conference, which is jointly organised by Kuwait and the UN.

The crisis in Syria is affecting increasing numbers of people. It is estimated that more than 130 000 have been killed in the conflict since it erupted in 2011. An estimated 9 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian aid. More than 2.3 million are refugees, and another 6.5 million are internally displaced persons. Norway is among the largest donors of humanitarian aid in response to the conflict in Syria.

“There is a dire need for help, both among people living in Syria and among refugees in the neighbouring countries. The international community must mobilise the necessary funds at the conference in Kuwait to meet the needs outlined in the UN call to action,” said Mr Brende.

The High-Level Pledging Conference in Kuwait is being held one week ahead of the planned international peace conference for Syria (Geneva II) in Montreux on 22 January.

“The war in Syria must be brought to an end. The participants at the conference in Montreux next week have a particular responsibility to establish a political process that can end the conflict. The conference should also make specific demands for immediate humanitarian access within Syria,”Mr Brende said.

Norway contributed NOK 635 million in humanitarian aid to victims of the war in Syria in 2013. Since 2011, Norway has provided NOK 850 million for humanitarian assistance. Today’s pledge will bring Norway’s total contribution to NOK 1.3 billion.