H.E. Dr. Anwar Gargash: Over 4 billion AED backlog aid since the beginning of the conflict in Syria​

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, HE Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, stated that the Syrian crisis constitutes a major concern for UAE foreign policy due to its implications on Syria and the entire Arab world.

He said the Syrian refugee crisis is both a political and security crisis that has created a tragedy of enormous proportions and has been a key priority for the United Arab Emirates. Ever since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, the UAE has worked tirelessly with its Arab and international partners in order to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian population and to reach a sustainable solution to the crisis.

Minister Gargash added that since the onset of the crisis in 2011, the UAE Government has welcomed more than 101,364 Syrian nationals from all segments of Syrian society and various sects and has extended residency permits to them in the UAE. "This has brought the number of Syrian resident in the UAE to 242,324. In recognition of the difficult current circumstances, the UAE Government has shown great sympathy in allowing thousands of Syrian nationals with expired visas or travel documents to adjust their status, enabling them to remain in the UAE."

"Syrian families living in the UAE enjoy a normal and generous life. It is noteworthy that the number of new and registered Syrian students enrolled in UAE schools since the beginning of the crisis has reached 17,378, while there are also 6,078 new Syrian investors. This clearly reflects that Syrian families are living a natural and normal life in the UAE’s secure and welcoming environment."

Dr Gargash noted that the UAE has been among one of the leading supporters of the Syrian people. Overall, the UAE has provided over 4 billion AED (around USD 1.1 billion) to the Syrian people since the onset of the crisis. This includes USD 581.5 million in humanitarian aid that has directly benefited Syrian refugees, as well as more than USD 420 million to combat Daesh terrorism in Syria and Iraq and the consequences of internal displacement and provide humanitarian support and relief.

UAE assistance, Dr Gargash added, has provided food and shelter for tens of thousands of Syrian refugees, including through a number of UAE-led projects. Today, the UAE-funded Mrajib Al Fhood camp in Jordan provides high-quality care, shelter, and education for 6,437 Syrian refugees and has been expanded to accommodate up to 10,000. The UAE-Jordanian field hospital in Al Mafraq offers a wide range of professional medical services to Syrian refugees and has provided 482,801 treatments by August 2015.

He said the implications and changes brought about by the Syrian crisis have resulted in many humanitarian and security issues that coincide with the political crisis, underlining the importance of a political solution.

Addressing the root causes of the current conflict is the only way to address the current refugee problem and its other dangerous ramifications, he added.

"In this concern, the UAE reaffirms its support for a political transition in Syria in accordance with the Geneva I principles. The UAE further believes that this is the sole solution that can bring security and stability to the Syrian population and its neighbors. Syria’s Arab neighbors and other members of the international community have a significant responsibility to push for such a solution."

Minister Gargash added that the UAE reaffirms its national and humanitarian commitment in support of the Syrian people in order to alleviate their suffering and will work through an Arab and international framework to heal this open wound and bring stability in a manner that will secure the sovereignty, unity and dignity of Syria and its people.