Brazil pledges $1.3 million aid for conflict-hit Syrians
Minister Mauro Vieira 
Brazil's government announced a $1.3 million donation for humanitarian assistance to people affected by the conflict in Syria. The money will be channeled to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The pledge was announced Thursday (Feb. 4) by Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira during the Supporting Syria and the Region conference in London.
At the event, Germany pledged $2.5 billion for the cause; the United Kingdom announced it is giving $1.75 billion; and the United States committed $890 million. World leaders have announced a total $11 billion aid to Syria by 2020.
In addition to the financial donation, Brazil is planning to contribute 4,500 tons of rice, equivalent to $1.85 million. The government is still discussing the delivery details and will require another country to partner for transport.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty), the financial donation was provided by such Brazilian agencies as the National Justice Secretariat and the Foreign Ministry's General Coordination for International Action against Hunger (CGFOME). The rice will be provided by the National Food Supply Company, linked to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Syria aid conference was hosted by Germany, Norway, United Kingdom and Kuwait in collaboration with the United Nations. The main purpose of the event is to raise emergency funds for Syrians living in the country and taking refuge in neighboring countries.
In his speech to announce Brazil's donation, Minister Mauro Vieira stressed the need for a political rather than a military solution to the Syrian crisis. He urged the need to fight terrorism, alleviate the suffering caused by war, grant asylum to refugees, keep Syria united, and rebuild it as a nation.
He also noted that Brazil has given asylum to more than 2,000 Syrians since 2013.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Brazil pledges $1.3 million aid for conflict-hit Syrians
