The United States has announced nearly $535 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Syria. This announcement was made by Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya during the United Nations General Assembly.
This new aid package includes more than $235 million through the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and nearly $300 million via the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.
The funds will be allocated to international organization partners to address urgent needs such as emergency shelter, food assistance, healthcare access, education, water sanitation, hygiene supplies, livelihood support, and protection for vulnerable groups. Additionally, partnerships with both international and local non-governmental organizations will help provide life-saving support and protection to host communities, refugees, and asylum seekers across the region.
Under Secretary Zeya highlighted that "conditions inside Syria do not allow for safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable refugee returns" and reiterated that a political solution aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 is necessary to end the suffering of the Syrian people. She also emphasized that "the United States will continue to promote respect for the dignity and human rights of all Syrians."
The U.S. remains the largest humanitarian donor to Syria's crisis response efforts. In FY 2024 alone, it has contributed nearly $1.2 billion to these efforts within Syria and its neighboring regions. Since the onset of the crisis 13 years ago, U.S. contributions have exceeded $18 billion.
Zeya urged other donors to join in filling significant funding gaps so that partners can continue addressing the critical needs of vulnerable populations in Syria.