EU Announces Aid for Syria and Countries Hosting Syrian Refugees

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (SANA / AFP)
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EU Announces Aid for Syria and Countries Hosting Syrian Refugees

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (SANA / AFP)

A top European Union official announced an aid package of 235 million euros ($244 million) for humanitarian needs within Syria and for countries in the region hosting displaced Syrians, especially Türkiye.

Speaking alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday during a visit to Ankara after her trip to Syria, Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, said that the situation in Syria was dire,

“The needs are dramatically immense. The humanitarian crisis is affecting millions of Syrians, and the EU will continue to work and to alleviate the suffering in response to the basic needs of the people," Lahbib said.

Türkiye hosts the world’s largest number of refugees, including up to 3 million Syrians.

“Türkiye’s hospitality for the Syrian refugees has been crucial over the years,” Lahbib said. “Türkiye’s role is crucial in providing humanitarian corridors for the EU to deliver emergency assistance to Syria.

“The region is in geopolitical turmoil, and it would be important for the European Union to work together with Türkiye and provide the adequate response by the international community.”



Some Residents Returning to Bint Jbeil in Southern Lebanon

People ride past damaged buildings, following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, at Baraashit in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, 05 December 2024. (EPA)
People ride past damaged buildings, following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, at Baraashit in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, 05 December 2024. (EPA)
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Some Residents Returning to Bint Jbeil in Southern Lebanon

People ride past damaged buildings, following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, at Baraashit in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, 05 December 2024. (EPA)
People ride past damaged buildings, following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, at Baraashit in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, 05 December 2024. (EPA)

Residents trickled back to the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil on Monday as the Israeli army withdrew and Lebanese forces, alongside UN peacekeepers, moved in to secure the area.
This marks another town from which Israeli troops have withdrawn following the US- and French-brokered ceasefire that ended the 14-month conflict between Hezbollah and Israel on Nov. 27, The Associated Press said.
Inside the town, a mosque’s dome lay in ruins, surrounded by collapsed buildings, charred cars and streets strewn with twisted metal and broken glass.
Despite the lack of power some residents returned to check on their homes. Few stayed.
Ahmad Saad, a member of the Bint Jbeil Municipality, said only about 10% of the town’s residents have returned. “Essentials of life are still lacking — there’s no electricity, water, there’s nothing,” he said.