Finland's development cooperation in the Syrian crisis
Finland’s development cooperation in Syria and in its neighbouring countries promotes a sustainable solution to the Syrian conflict and strengthens the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities.
In 2020, Finland contributed to the creation of aid employment for 2,347 women at the UN Women’s Oasis empowerment centre in Jordan. Similar centres have been set up in Za’atari and Azraq refugee camps and in various locations in Jordan. They offer services to Syrian refugees and Jordanian women who are in a vulnerable position. Photo: UN Women
The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011, is one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time. Of people in Syria, 90 per cent depend on external assistance. Because of the war, several millions are either internally displaced or have left the country, and the neighbouring countries’ capacity to accommodate Syrian refugees is stretched to the limit. The conflict has increased instability in the Middle East and the consequences spill over into the security situation in Europe.
Finland’s Strategy for development cooperation and humanitarian assistance in the Syrian crisis should be adapted to reflect the changing demands, but this is difficult because of constant changes in the conflict. The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts of climate change also show in developments in Syria.
At the moment, Finland and Syria do not have diplomatic relations. In Syria, Finland follows the common policies of the EU and emphazises that both Finland and the EU should monitor the situation and adapt their work to the prevailing situation at any given time.
Finland wants to participate in formulating solutions that can contribute to ending the war and to alleviating the suffering caused by the war. The objectives of Finland’s comprehensive activities in Syria are described in the Country Programme for development cooperation. In 2021–2024, Finland will concentrate on strengthening the inclusiveness of the peace processes, accountability, and the application of the nexus approach in responding to the crisis. In addition, Finland promotes gender equality, the rights of people who belong to the most vulnerable groups, as well as innovations and new solutions to humanitarian and other challenges.
Finland’s development cooperation in Syria in 2021–2024
In its development cooperation in Syria and its neighbouring regions, Finland will focus on peacebuilding and on strengthening the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. Finland aims to allocate approximately EUR 30 million in 2021–2024 to actions supporting response to the Syrian crisis. In addition, Finland will direct needs-based humanitarian assistance, which will be channelled via UN organisations, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and Finnish civil society organisations engaged in humanitarian assistance. In 2020, Finland’s humanitarian assistance to Syria amounted to EUR 11.7 million.
During the previous programming period in 2017–2020, Finland’s support has focused especially on promoting the political process in Syria and work against impunity, supporting the most vulnerable groups of people, and helping refugees in the neighbouring countries of Syria.
Finland’s development cooperation supporting the peace process
Finnish development cooperation supports the participation of women and minority groups in the Syrian peace process and political development.
Expected outcome: Syria has capacity for inclusive, peaceful and democratic development
- Cooperation between the parties to the peace process is strengthened
- Women are able to participate in the peace process and Syria’s reconstruction
- Syrian people’s own solutions are at the heart of the peace process
Ongoing programmes and projects
- Support to mediation and peace work by UN Women and the Berghof Foundation In 2021, Finland will channel approximately EUR 1.3 million to mediation work related to the Syrian crisis.
Finland’s development cooperation promoting gender equality
In its development cooperation to strengthen equality, Finland focuses on improving the position and rights of women and girls in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, who are affected by the Syrian crisis
Expected outcome: Rights of women and girls are realised
- Women have access to sexual and reproductive health services
- There is less gender-based violence
- Women have improved opportunities to earn a living or become self-employed
Ongoing programmes and projects
- UN Women’s Eid bi Eid project in Jordan to empower women in refugee and host communities
- UN Women 1325 regional programme
In 2021, Finland's development cooperation allocated to supporting the realisation of women's and girls’ rights in Syria’s neighbouring countries will be approximately EUR 1.8 million. In addition, Finland channels humanitarian funding, for example, to supporting the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Syria, which focuses on providing sexual and reproductive health services.
Finland’s development cooperation to improve the rights of children and persons with disabilities
Finland promotes children's access to education and to social support, develops services aimed at persons with disabilities, and contributes widely to disability inclusion in society.
Expected outcome: The rights of children and persons with disabilities are realised
- Children affected by the Syrian conflict have better opportunities to education
- Families in the most vulnerable situation have improved access to social welfare services
- Support and income opportunities are made available for persons with disabilities
Ongoing programmes and projects
- UNICEF No Lost Generation Lebanon
- UNICEF No Lost Generation Syria
- UNDP Supporting communities’ resilience through disability inclusion
In 2021, Finland's support aimed at improving the rights of children and persons with disabilities affected by the Syrian crisis will be approximately EUR 5 million.
Highlights of the Results Report 2023
The conflict in Syria continued, and the country’s humanitarian and economic situation deteriorated further. The refugee and protection crisis in the country was one of the largest in the world, and it also had a major regional impact.
In February 2023, the earthquake that struck Syria and Türkiye increased humanitarian needs and the need to repair damage in the affected area in Syria. Finland supported the UN fund that delivered tent and container accommodation to 39,000 people in northern Syria. The Finnish Red Cross supported mobile health clinics in the earthquake-affected area.
Finland promoted the peace process by supporting the Syrian Women’s Advisory Board (WAB) through UN Women. WAB is composed of female members and has collaborated with the UN Ambassador to Syria. Finland also supported mediation through the Berghof Foundation and the collection of evidence on war crimes through the UN.
Finland improved the availability of comprehensive services for women in Jordan through UN Women. At the same time, the country's refugee and adaptation capacities were enhanced and women’s leadership skills and opportunities to earn a livelihood strengthened.
Finland supported the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in renovating school premises for over 2,000 children in Syria. Finland also supported learning opportunities for the 52,000 children who were either out of school or at risk of dropping out of school. Learning opportunities were promoted by providing course-based remedial teaching in informal school settings, by distributing learning materials and by providing early childhood education and care, among other measures.
Finland supported to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to address the needs of Syrian people with disabilities. Their quality of life was improved by means of prostheses, assistive devices and rehabilitation. A microfinance programme was used to improve the livelihoods of the families of persons with disabilities. Finland also advocated for the needs of persons with disabilities to be better taken account of in the future.
Finland’s partners of cooperation in Syria
Finland directs its support to the effects of the Syrian crisis mainly to multilateral organisations, such as the joint funding mechanisms administered by UN organisations.
Several Finnish civil society organisations (CSOs) are carrying out projects in Syria and its neighbouring countries in collaboration with local organisations.