DISINFO: The EU and the US block rebuilding of Syria
SUMMARY
Rebuilding of Syria is blocked by EU sanctions and US oil embargo. Millions were devoted for the reconstruction of Notre-Dame, but the reconstruction and restoration of the Syrian churches takes place only sporadically with church and private funds.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Syrian war. The EU is the leading donor in the international response to the Syrian crisis. In 2017, the EU, together with Ministers from Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the UK and the US emphasised that recovery and reconstruction support for Syria hinges on a credible political process leading to a genuine political transition that can be supported by a majority of the Syrian people. Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, the EU has mobilised all political and humanitarian tools at its disposal in support of the Syrian people, remaining one of the main supporters of UN-led efforts to reach a political solution and the main humanitarian donor for Syrians, with over €16.9 billion mobilised collectively from EU Member States in humanitarian, development, economic and stabilisation assistance. Moreover, €10 billion was made available by the EU in 2018 to enable de-mining in liberated areas. This de-mining work is intended to make infrastructure and land safe for use once again, and also includes mine risk education for local populations, for returnees, and for displaced people.