Germany contributes additional over $10 million for projects in Syria

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Syria Recovery Trust Fund (SRTF) on Thursday announced that it had received an additional over $10 million from Germany allocated for projects in northeast and northwest Syria.

“With this generous contribution, Germany continues to rank as the SRTF’s largest financial donor with EUR 86 million ($91.1 million) contributed to the Fund since its establishment in 2013,” said SRTF in a statement on Thursday. 

It cited a spokesperson for the German government’s foreign ministry as saying the new fund is “in support of projects that, for example, strengthen food security in northeast and northwest Syria by providing farmers with seeds, fertilizer or technical equipment as well as training. Our aim is to support Syrian people in need, to help these men and women benefit from a peace economy, and thereby contribute to stability in the region.”

Syria has suffered from humanitarian and economic crises since the start of civil war a decade ago. Kurdish-held areas in northeast Syria (Rojava) have suffered from lack of international support while Turkey-held areas in northwest Syria have received aid through Turkish borders - thanks to a United Nations resolution which is expiring next month. 

SRTF Director-General, Hani Khabbaz, welcomed the contribution, saying they are now “in a better position to build on our steady accomplishments in key sectors.”

He added that they “advance into 2023 with unwavering will to continue to make a difference in the lives of Syrians who aspire to put suffering and hardship behind." 

Kurdish officials have accused Damascus of preventing international aid from reaching Rojava.