DISINFO: The EU pretends to want to help people in Syria: EU humanitarian aid is dishonest and hypocritical
SUMMARY
The EU pretends to want to help people in Syria: EU humanitarian aid is dishonest and hypocritical. The leading Western states and their allies continue the economic war against Syria. At the same time, they hypocritically pretend to want to help the people in the war-torn country. To this end, they have organised another ‘donor conference’ to collect donations. But the money is not meant for all Syrians. (…) Media that do not reflect the responsibility of the EU and the USA and, very concretely, of the German government for the plight of Syria, and that do not at least present the dishonesty and hypocrisy of EU humanitarian aid, have failed in their mission.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Syrian war that aims to discredit the EU's humanitarian aid to Syria. The EU is the leading donor in the international response to the Syrian crisis. The European Union and the United Nations co-chaired the fourth Brussels Conference on “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region”, which took place from 22 to 30 June 2020. "The Brussels Conference keeps the Syrian conflict at the top of the international agenda. We must do more to end the suffering of the Syrian people. First and foremost, we need a political solution to the crisis. It is time to unlock the Geneva talks, forge a political solution and bring an inclusive peace to Syria. We will also continue to respond to persisting enormous humanitarian needs", stated High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell. The conference succeeded in mobilising aid to Syrians inside the country and in neighbouring countries, including hosting communities, through pledges totalling $5.5 billion (€4.9 billion) for 2020, and multi-year pledges of close to $2.2 billon (€2 billion) for 2021 and beyond. Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, the EU has mobilised all political and humanitarian tools at its disposal in support of the Syrian people, remaining one of the main supporters of UN-led efforts to reach a political solution and the main humanitarian donor for Syrians, with over €20 billion mobilised collectively from EU Member States in humanitarian, development, economic and stabilisation assistance. In 2020, the European Commission alone mobilised €194 million in humanitarian aid, enabling partners to reach millions of people with vital assistance inside Syria. This includes close to €40 million to respond to the needs arising from the coronavirus pandemic. See similar disinfo cases alleging that the EU and the US block the rebuilding of Syria and that the West has planned the total destruction of Syria.