The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday that South Korea has pledged $26 million in humanitarian aid to Syria and the surrounding areas to help alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Deputy Foreign Minister for Global and Multilateral Affairs, Kwon Ki-hwan, disclosed this during the eighth Brussels conference on “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region” in Belgium. Deputy Minister Kwon expressed South Korea’s concerns about the worsening humanitarian situation in Syria, which has been exacerbated by conflicts lasting over 13 years, and emphasized the importance of a political settlement to resolve the situation.
The humanitarian crisis in Syria has significantly worsened over the past two years due to a combination of ongoing conflict, economic collapse, and natural disasters like earthquakes. The situation is dire, with about 70% of the population, or approximately 15.3 million people, now needing humanitarian aid. This includes a large number of internally displaced persons who face severe challenges such as lack of food, clean water, shelter, and access to healthcare.
Efforts to provide aid are hampered by security risks and political complexities. Despite these challenges, international aid organizations continue to strive towards delivering critical support. However, the funding is often insufficient, with the UN’s humanitarian response plan for Syria being critically underfunded, exacerbating the situation further.
