Austria Pledges €19.3 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Syria at Brussels Conference Amid Sanctions Easing

Austria announced a €19.3 million ($21 million) humanitarian aid package for Syria on Sunday, ahead of the ninth Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria. The Austrian Foreign Ministry, in Vienna, emphasized the nation's dedication to assisting those impacted by the Syrian crisis. Austria has already provided over €30 million ($32.6 million) in aid to Syria and neighboring countries in 2024. This support addresses the challenges arising from the ongoing conflict and displacement. The Brussels Conference follows the EU's February decision to ease sanctions on Syria, affecting sectors like oil, gas, banking, and aviation. Syrian representatives are expected to participate in the donor conference, marking a step toward increased cooperation. The Austrian Foreign Ministry stressed the need to restore hope for the Syrian population and create conditions conducive to the return of refugees. Syria currently faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with 16.7 million people in urgent need of aid and over 12 million displaced.