Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Lebanon

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Lebanon co-hosted a “Launching Ceremony for Humanitarian Assistance Projects for Syria” in Damascus on Tuesday, September 30, together with international organizations*.

* United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP), and World Health Organization (WHO).

Held under the theme “Together for Syria’s Future: Reviving Hope, Restoring Services, Reaching Communities,” the event was attended by Syria’s Minister of Higher Education, Minister of Health, and Minister of Disaster and Emergency Management, as well as other senior Syrian government officials and representatives of international organizations based in Syria. Participants joined in celebrating the Republic of Korea’s first step toward supporting Syria’s reconstruction. Following the ceremony, attendees visited a project site in Harasta, near Damascus, to directly observe how the Korea’s contribution is making a tangible impact on the daily lives of the Syrian people.

This year, the Korean government is supporting projects including:

⦁ UNDP: removal of war debris and unexploded ordnance, and job creation (USD 10 million),

⦁ UNICEF: improvement of children’s education, health, and water and sanitation (USD 15 million),

⦁ WFP: food assistance for vulnerable groups (USD 10 million),

⦁ WHO: provision of medical equipment such as dialysis machines (USD 3 million).

In his congratulatory remarks, Ambassador Geon stated that the Korea’s contribution would further solidify the cooperative relationship that has grown since the opening of diplomatic relations with Syria last April, while also delivering tangible benefits to the Syrian people. He expressed his hope that Korea’s own experience of reconstruction from the ruins of war would inspire hope and courage among the Syrian people.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Lebanon will continue to work closely with the Syrian government and the international community to identify ways in which the ROK government and Korean enterprises can contribute to Syria’s reconstruction and development.