1. Deputy Minister
for Multilateral and Global Affairs Ham Sang-wook attended the Fifth Brussels
Conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region” held on March 30,
and announced that the Korean government plans to offer 18 million U.S. dollars
in humanitarian assistance in support of Syrian refugees.
o The humanitarian
crisis in Syria and neighboring countries, which enters its 10th year
this year, has worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year, and thus the
need for assistance is urgent in all areas including food, drinking water, health,
and education.
o Particularly, as
the political efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict in Syria have not
shown tangible progress, the United Nations and the European Union co-hosted
the meeting to mobilize support and political will of the international
community.
o To respond to the
humanitarian needs rapidly increasing in Syria and neighboring countries, the
Republic of Korea plans to provide humanitarian assistance through
international organizations, along with 3,000 tons of rice for Syrians
experiencing food crisis.
2. Deputy Minister
Ham and other participants stressed that a political solution in line with UN
Security Council Resolution 2254 is critical to solve the humanitarian crisis
in Syria, and urged stakeholders to actively take part in the UN-facilitated
peace process.
3. In addition, the
participants shared the view that safe and unimpeded humanitarian access should
be guaranteed as humanitarian needs are more urgent than ever, and called for a
nation-wide ceasefire across Syria.
4. The Korean
government will continue to expand humanitarian assistance for the vulnerable,
including refugees, women, and children, in countries and regions facing large-scale
humanitarian crises, while participating actively in the international community’s
efforts to solve protracted crises.