Remarks
ADMINISTRATOR SAMANTHA POWER: On behalf of the United States, I want to thank our European partners for organizing this conference and mobilizing life-saving assistance for the Syrian people.
It has been 13 years, longer than the first and second world wars combined, that Syrian communities have been living under the strain of conflict and last year's devastating earthquake, only worse than the already dire humanitarian conditions. Few of us are strangers to the catastrophic numbers – 90 percent of the population live below the poverty line.
This year, a staggering 70 percent of Syria's total population will need humanitarian assistance. Children make up nearly half of the population in need. But even as this conflict has dragged on, Syrian communities have mobilized to care for one another. And they need our continued support, which is why the United States has been the largest humanitarian donor to the Syrian response. We have provided $17.8 billion since the start of the war, and nearly $2 billion in just the last year.
Today, I'm pleased to announce that the United States is pledging nearly $593 million in additional support. This will cover nearly 15 percent of this year's total funding appeal for Syria. Our resources will help provide Syrian communities with food, clean water, emergency shelter, access to health care, and protection for women, children, and persons with disabilities. In addition to committing more resources, the United States will also continue our advocacy for humanitarian workers, some of whom have already lost their lives.
We'll continue to partner with the UN and other organizations pushing for unhindered and sustained humanitarian access to communities in need. We will continue to oppose efforts to send refugees back to unsafe conditions, while also providing resources to countries like Lebanon and Jordan, who have generously opened their doors to Syrians fleeing violence. And we will continue to call for all parties to engage diplomatically to bring about a political end to this conflict – the only permanent solution to the ongoing humanitarian crisis. But we need others to join us. We need your help to mobilize additional resources to meet the staggering needs in Syria, needs that have only continued to grow.
For 13 years, the Syrian people have faced oppression, violence and catastrophic conditions at the hands of their own government. It is on all of us to help them however we can to push the limits of what we think possible. To help communities who deserve to live in safety.
Thank you so much.