From words to action: Reviewing the commitments made at the ‘Supporting Syria and the Region’ conference six months on

The ‘Supporting Syria and the Region’ conference held in London on 4 February 2016 agreed ‘a comprehensive new approach on how we respond to this protracted crisis. The promises made in London have the potential to make a significant contribution to improving the lives of both refugee and vulnerable host communities in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey: the three countries hosting approximately 75 percent of refugees from Syria. However, the conference has failed to deliver with regard to the core issues of the protection of civilians inside Syria and of refugees in neighbouring countries.

In order to achieve these goals, members of the international community committed to providing Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey with financial and technical support to stimulate their economies and to help with policy reform and better cope with the crisis, including fully funding the aid response, providing increased development and concessional funding, and facilitating access to external markets.