Netherlands: new €45 million humanitarian aid package for Syria

The Dutch government made another 45.4 million euros available for emergency aid to Syrian refugees living in the region, Minister Lilianne Ploumen of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation announced in a letter to the Tweede Kamer, lower house of parliament, on Monday. "The situation in many places is downright pitiful." the Minister said. In addition to this 45.4 million euros, the Minister also made 4 million euros available through the Red Cross last week. Since the Syrian war erupted in 2012, the Dutch government spent more than 291 million euros in humanitarian aid. "It is important that the support also focuses on more than blankets food or tents. People in refugee camps must be given perspective, like education for their children and a job. Otherwise they get onto rickety boats, often with dramatic consequences", Ploumen said. Ploumen set a total of 127 million euros aside this year for so-called chronic crises, crises which continue for several consecutive years. In addition to Syria, the Ministry is also giving support to those in need in, among others, Iraq, Yemen, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.