Today, the United States announced nearly $535 million in additional humanitarian assistance to support people in Syria, and refugee and host populations throughout the region who continue to be affected by the ongoing crisis. This funding, which includes nearly $300 million through USAID and more than $235 million through the U.S. Department of State was announced by Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.
More than 13 years of conflict have left 16.7 million people inside Syria currently in need of humanitarian assistance and more than seven million people displaced. This additional funding from USAID and the Department of State will support humanitarian partners to continue providing support to people inside Syria, refugees in the region, and the communities hosting them, including through vital emergency food assistance, emergency healthcare, access to education, emergency shelter, access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene support, livelihood assistance, and protection for the most vulnerable.
The United States remains the single largest humanitarian donor to the Syria response and has provided nearly $1.2 billion in humanitarian assistance throughout Syria and the region since the beginning of fiscal year 2024 and more than $18 billion since the start of the crisis. While only a negotiated political solution can fully end the suffering of the Syrian people, humanitarian assistance is vital to keeping civilians alive. We urge other donors to join us in stepping up to fill the significant funding gaps and ensure partners can continue to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.