Germany has pledged €60 million ($62.7 million) in aid to support education, women’s rights, and development projects in Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. The announcement comes after rebels seized control of Damascus on December 8, ending Assad’s 13-year rule and decades of his family’s control.
Development Minister Svenja Schulze described the situation as a 'historic window' for positive change. “What will happen next has not yet been decided. But the opportunity for positive development is there, and we should now do everything we can to support it”, she stated.
Around half of the funding, €25 million, will go to UNICEF to enhance education in the war-torn country, while €6 million is allocated to aid group Arche Nova, which runs schools for 3,000 children. Schulze emphasized the importance of creating an education system that is free from ideology, discrimination, and exclusion.
An additional €19 million will be directed to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), €7 million to Syrian NGOs, and €3 million to a U.N. fund supporting Syrian women’s groups.
The projects will be implemented exclusively through non-governmental organizations and U.N. aid agencies, ensuring they operate independently of Syria’s new authorities.
Germany’s move underscores its commitment to fostering stability and development in Syria during this pivotal period, with a focus on empowering communities through education and women’s rights initiatives.
