The conflict in Syria, which has been going on for eleven years, has led to the biggest humanitarian crisis in the region since the founding of the United Nations. According to estimates, the fierce fighting has already claimed an estimated 500,000 lives. 24 million people in the region are currently dependent on humanitarian aid.
In the area of "Peaceful and inclusive societies", KfW supports the people in the country itself as well as refugees in the neighbouring countries of Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq with funds from the Federal Foreign Office (AA) and on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Development and Economic Cooperation (BMZ). In doing so, the AA and the BMZ coordinate closely to ensure the link between the AA's humanitarian aid and the BMZ's medium-term support.
On behalf of BMZ, KfW promotes the "Special Initiative to Reduce the Causes of Flight - Stabilise Host Regions - Support Refugees". UN organisations, for example UNICEF, UNDP and UN-Habitat are involved in the areas of education, child protection and water infrastructure in Syria. Through so-called cash-for-work measures, which KfW finances on behalf of the BMZ, refugees and residents of the host communities in Syria's neighbouring countries as well as in Syria itself can earn a quickly disposable income. This gives them the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. The financial plight of the people is reduced, the social recognition of the refugees in the host country grows and social cohesion is strengthened, because the local population can also participate in the programmes.
On behalf of the German Foreign Office (AA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), KfW has set up a reconstruction fund: the Syria Recovery Trust Fund (SRTF). The aim is to improve the provision of energy, water and health services to people in areas inside Syria administered by the moderate Syrian opposition (National Syrian Coalition).
