Gallery: Aid Arriving In The Philipppines

TACLOBAN, Republic of the Philippines (Nov. 14, 2013) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Eric Chiarito, left, from Hyde Park, N.Y., and Marine Sgt. Jonathan Thornton, from Lake Havasu, Ariz., load supplies onto a forklift at Tacloban Air Base in support of Operation Damayan. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group and the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade are assisting the Philippine government in response to the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in the Republic of the Philippines. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ricardo R. Guzman/Released)

TACLOBAN, Republic of the Philippines (Nov. 14, 2013) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Island Knights of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 drops supplies onto Tacloban Air Base in support of Operation Damayan. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group and the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade are assisting the Philippine government in response to the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in the Republic of the Philippines. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ricardo R. Guzman/Released)

TACLOBAN, Republic of the Philippines (Nov. 14, 2013) Naval Aircrewman 2nd Class Justin Peach, from Riverside, Calif., prepares to drop supplies from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, into Tacloban in support of Operation Damayan. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group and the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade are assisting the Philippine government in response to the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in the Republic of the Philippines. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ricardo R. Guzman/Released)

U.S. Government Assistance to Syria

US Department of State

Washington, DC

January 9, 2013

The United States supports the Syrian people’s aspirations for a Syrian-led transition to a democratic, inclusive, and peaceful Syria. Over nearly two years of unrest and violence, the United Nations estimates that 60,000 Syrians have been killed. Nearly 600,000 Syrians have registered or are awaiting registration in neighboring countries, while an additional 2.5 million persons are internally displaced and 4 million people inside Syria are in need of assistance. The Syrian regime has sacrificed all legitimacy in a vicious effort to cling to power. U.S. assistance includes vigorous diplomatic support of the newly formed Syrian Opposition Coalition, humanitarian assistance to help those affected by the conflict, and non-lethal support for local councils and civil society inside Syria.

Diplomatic Support

The United States continues to support the Syrian people as the newly-formed Syrian Opposition Coalition sets a course toward the peaceful, democratic, inclusive future that the people of Syria deserve. We are working with other nations to further isolate the regime and support the Syrian people’s calls for President Assad to step down. We and our international partners actively supported the efforts of the Syrian people to launch the Syrian Opposition Coalition in Doha in November. On December 12, the Friends of the Syrian People meeting in Marrakesh helped to ensure that our assistance responds to the most pressing needs of the Syrian people in coordination with the Syrian Opposition Coalition and Syria-based unarmed opposition groups.

Humanitarian Assistance

The Assad regime’s war on its own civilian population over the past two years has precipitated a critical humanitarian crisis. The United States is providing $210 million in humanitarian aid to assist conflict-affected Syrians inside Syria and those who have fled to neighboring countries, the majority of whom are residing among local communities. Assistance is channeled both through contributions to U.N. and other international agencies as well as partner non-governmental organizations. We continue to develop ways for humanitarian assistance – provided on the basis of need and not political affiliation – to reach previously inaccessible areas inside Syria where continuing violence has created urgent humanitarian needs, especially growing shortages of food and fuel.