BRUSSELS – European Union leaders have stepped up their commitment to aiding Syria, pledging nearly €2.5 billion ($2.7 billion) at the recent donor drive held on March 17, 2025. This year’s call for support, aiming to assist the war-torn country after the ousting of Bashar Al Assad, encountered hurdles as U.S. backing diminishes, casting doubt on whether this year’s contributions will surpass the previous total of €7.5 billion raised last year.
The conference took place under unique circumstances as the interim foreign minister of Syria, Assaad Al Shibani, attended, marking the first representation of Syrian authorities at the annual event since the onset of the brutal civil war over 14 years ago.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the EU's resolve, stating, "Syrians need greater support, whether they are still abroad, or they decide to go home." She announced the pledged funds would not only provide immediate relief but could serve as the foundation for the recovery of the country.
Germany has committed $330 million and the UK $210 million to this humanitarian effort, reflecting international concern over Syria’s destabilizing protracted conflict.
Syrian authorities, characterized by new leadership under former Islamist rebel commander Ahmed Al Sharaa, have been clamoring for assistance to bolster recovery efforts, acknowledging significant measures taken by the EU, including the easing of sanctions on key economic sectors. "We do appreciate the major measures taken by the European Union, such as the lifting or suspending of the sanctions," Shibani remarked during the conference. Yet, he expressed frustration, stating, "these measures did not live up so far to our expectations. We want to secure our recovery with more substantial measures."
The backdrop to this urgent need for assistance is increasingly dire. A recent outbreak of violence on Syria's Mediterranean coast has caused deadly repercussions, resulting in the deaths of nearly 1,500 civilians, primarily from the Alawite minority, to which the Assad family belongs. This episode of violence has significantly shaken the public's faith in the newly installed Islamist-led regime.
Despite these challenges, some efforts for reform are underway. Sharaa has signed off on a constitutional declaration conducive to governance and social reforms, setting up what he described as a five-year transitional period aimed at inclusivity and accountability. He assured the public, "We believe in the true sense of citizenship, the citizenship of every single citizen of Syria, regardless of their ethnicity or religion." This statement speaks to the new regime's intentions to stabilize and unify amid the diversity of Syria's population.
Yet, the plight of the citizens remains urgent. The United Nations estimates around 16.7 million people inside Syria require assistance, encapsulating the dire humanitarian situation resulting from the years of civil strife and international isolation stemming from the Assad regime's refusal to engage constructively with opposition forces.
Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, backed recent EU interventions by cautioning against disinvestment: "It would be a mistake to disinvest from Syria now. Humanitarian aid remains a lifeline for millions of Syrians. Severing it now would only deepen their suffering and prolong the country’s recovery.”
Looking forward, the EU’s contributions, along with those from member states and others, represent not only aid but also hope for revitalizing shattered segments of Syrian society. Yet much work lies ahead if the spiraling violence persists and if the cash pledged does not translate effectively to on-ground assistance.
Syria’s new government faces a crossroads with the international community, caught between the need for immediate humanitarian assistance and the precarious political dynamics which have defined its recent history. Ensuring tangible, meaningful support now could change the course for millions affected by this years-long conflict. Historically, the country would need upwards of 50 years at current growth rates to recover to pre-war economic levels, highlighting the long road to true recovery.
With the anniversary of the uprising against Assad occurring just two days ago, one can only hope for positive changes, as represented by this donor conference. Administrators and citizens alike will be anxiously awaiting the results of the gatherings, poised for progress but wary of the challenges still to come.
