Brussels Hosts EU Donations Conference Aimed at Turkey and Syria Relief
Sweden’s foreign minister announced an upcoming EU-wide fundraising conference, set to take place in Brussels on 16 March, with the European Commission serving as the rotating EU presidency host. The effort is designed to mobilize additional humanitarian assistance for those affected by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. The information comes from Anadolu Agency and other briefings from Swedish officials.
According to the plan, Sweden will coordinate the event in Brussels as part of a broader EU strategy to consolidate donor support. The aim is to streamline contributions and ensure that aid reaches the most severely impacted communities in both countries. The conference represents a coordinated response across EU institutions and member states, prioritizing relief, reconstruction, and long-term resilience for civilians affected by the disaster.
Sweden’s foreign minister Tobias Billström emphasized the urgency of action, noting that the gathering will explore all viable avenues to expand resources for Turkey and Syria and to mitigate the earthshaking consequences that followed the disaster. Ministers and agency representatives are expected to outline needs, coordinate with international partners, and discuss mechanisms to accelerate aid delivery on the ground, including housing, emergency shelter, medical care, and essential services for vulnerable populations.
Historical context and scale of the disaster have been profound. In the weeks following the February earthquakes, authorities reported a mounting death toll and widespread damage. Official updates indicated that the casualty figure reached tens of thousands, with tens of thousands more displaced. Authorities in Turkey reported significant seismic activity beginning on February 6, including initial events of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 in the Kahramanmaraş region, triggering a cascade of aftershocks that disrupted thousands of buildings and critical infrastructure. Disaster experts noted more than a million structures sustained damage, and emergency services coordinated evacuations for hundreds of thousands of residents from the affected zones. The toll underscores the enormous humanitarian needs and the importance of sustained international solidarity. While figures have evolved as teams conduct assessments, the global community remains focused on rapid response, ongoing protection, and early recovery planning. (Attribution: Anadolu Agency)
As the Brussels conference approaches, humanitarian organizations, governments, and civil society groups are expected to outline funding priorities, including support for emergency response, shelter, water and sanitation, healthcare, and education for children whose lives have been disrupted by the earthquakes. The event also aims to establish mechanisms for monitoring impact, ensuring that aid translates into tangible improvements on the ground, and facilitating coordination with Turkish and Syrian authorities to align relief efforts with local needs. The overarching objective is to shorten the time between donor commitments and the delivery of critical assistance, while laying groundwork for longer-term reconstruction and resilience-building in affected regions.
Analysts emphasize the importance of a unified European approach to humanitarian aid that leverages the strength of multiple member states and EU institutions. By coordinating funding streams, procurement, and logistical support, the EU can avoid duplication and maximize the reach of its programs. The Brussels conference is seen as a pivotal moment to reaffirm shared European values and to demonstrate a robust and organized response to one of the most challenging natural disaster crises in recent memory. (Attribution: Anadolu Agency)