Wealthy Qatar Lags in UN Aid Appeal for Syria
Doha has provided less than 0.1 percent of funds
Sept. 4, 2013 — Qatar, the richest country in the world, has given less than $3 million to the UN aid appeal for Syria, according to figures from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Of the more than $2.9 billion donated to the UN’s emergency relief fund for Syrians, energy-rich Qatar has contributed $2.7 million — less than 0.1 percent of the overall total. Countries such as Belgium, Finland, Iraq and Ireland have all given more.
The United States is the top donor, at $818 million, followed by the European Commission — the EU’s legislative arm — which has provided $619 million. Of the 28 EU member states, Britain, $196 million, and Germany $73 million are among the top ten donors.
Kuwait, $324 million, is the top Gulf donor, coming in third overall, according to OCHA’s figures as of Sept 4th, 2013, while Saudi Arabia, at $51 million, is the tenth biggest contributor.
Outside of the EU, US and Gulf, Japan, $82 million, and Australia, $64 million, are also among the top ten donors.
Of the remaining permanent five Security Council members, Russia has given $17 million, France, $15 million and China, $1 million.
The UN has requested a total of $4.4 billion to assist Syrians, with $1.4 billion designated to assist those inside the country — more than 4 million of whom are displaced — and $3 billion to assist neighboring countries that are now home to more than 2 million Syrian refugees.
- Denis Fitzgerald
