Council of Ministers approve four million euros more in aid for victims of conflicts in Syria
“The Austrian federal government is making another four million euros from the Foreign Disaster Relief Fund available to Syria“, said foreign minister Karin Kneissl following the decision taken by the Council of Ministers. “I already indicated in February which partner organisations and contributions would most efficiently provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflicts in Syria”, emphasised Karin Kneissl.
Austrian Federal Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, also welcomed the decision made by the Council of Ministers and said. “With over 400,000 deaths and more than five million refugees outside Syria, the people of Syria have already suffered far too much. It is our responsibility to not only endeavour to find a diplomatic solution but also to provide aid on the ground. Therefore, at a federal government level we will be contributing to making desperately needed humanitarian aid available to those suffering in Syria on the ground“.
Three million euros will be given to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to support, among other things, the distribution of food packages, the reparation of the water supply network, the provision of farming equipment and seeds as well as the protection of the civilian population through mine clearance and victim support. Austria’s one million euro contribution to UNICEF will go towards health care, food, education and child protection.
“At the Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region next week, ways to bring about political stability in Syria will also be explored“, said the foreign minister, who along with her commitment to providing humanitarian aid also called for longer-term future prospects for Syria.