Second Pledging Conference for Syria

The second UN-organized International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria is being held today, 15 January, in Kuwait

The second UN-organized International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria is being held today, 15 January, in Kuwait. It is estimated that by end-2014 the number of Syrian refugees will reach 4.1 million, of which 2.7 million will seek refuge in the neighbouring countries, making Syrians the largest refugee group in the world and their exodus the largest population displacement since the Second World War. Taking into account the internally displaced persons, the humanitarian crisis is estimated to have affected 9.3 million Syrians. Field reports are alarming and show growing endangerment, even starvation, while humanitarian workers are still being denied access. Therefore, a swift, coordinated and efficient response by the international community is necessary.

Croatia will be represented at the conference by Ambassador Tomislav Bošnjak. Apart from the EUR 330,000 worth of humanitarian aid from the last conference, Croatia is prepared to donate additional EUR 180,000 in 2014. A part of it (EUR 150,000) will be allocated for a program of educating local population about the danger of mines and other devices as well as for a program of psychosocial support, while the remaining EUR 30,000 is slated for development cooperation, i.e. projects of disarmament, demilitarization and reintegration of former soldiers or a reconciliation and trust building project.

As of 2012, Croatia has sent more than EUR 500,000 for the endangered Syrian population in Syria, neighbouring countries and Bulgaria, which has in the recent months seen a growing number of Syrian refugees. The deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria has had a direct impact on the neighbouring countries and the EU member states.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is calling for the protection of children and civilians as well as humanitarian workers, delivering humanitarian aid in dangerous conditions to those affected.

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