Humanitarian Crisis in Syria

The political and military drama unfolding in Syria has become a large-scale humanitarian crisis, with 2.5 million Syrians in need of assistance. The EU is the most important donor of humanitarian aid for Syria. While the total number of refugees is currently near one quarter of a million, the figure is expected to more than double if hostilities do not cease. The Syrian regime appears willing to pursue a scorched earth policy, with the blessing of key supporters. The resistance may be courageous, but also suffers from fragmentation and bickering. The EU seeks more stringent sanctions and an assistance programme.