Brussels, 27/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - In the absence of a political solution to the Syrian crisis, the growing challenges to humanitarian aid in Syria, and the coordination of international efforts to help the victims were at the centre of a United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York on 26 September. Jointly convened by the EU and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the meeting brought together the big humanitarian aid organisations, ministers and diplomats from the biggest donor countries under the joint chairmanship of European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva and Permanent Representative of Jordan to the United Nations, His Royal Highness Prince Zeid bin Raad.
“With no end to the fighting in sight, with serious food and medicine shortages, and with winter approaching, it was high time to discuss at the highest possible level what the needs are and how we can bring help to people who need it”, said Georgieva, thus summing up the substance of the discussions which will continue in the Syrian Humanitarian Forum.
Georgieva expressed the EU's gratitude to Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan for their generosity in welcoming a growing flow of Syrian refugees. “The generosity of these countries is making a big difference. The European Commission is contributing to the care for the refugees and will continue its steady support for meeting their most urgent needs”, she said. The EU is the biggest donor in response to the Syrian crisis. Its total contribution until now is over €222 million (more than €137 million from the Commission and over €84 million from the member states). (AN/transl.fl)