Syria, the war-torn country, is currently going through a phase of struggle. They are struggling to meet the requirements of the people and hence the majority population has fallen below the poverty line.
80% of Syria’s population currently lives in poverty facing dangers from instability, abduction, arbitrary detention, criminality as well as activities of terror groups.
To help the country heal from the situation, India will be delivering 2000 tonnes of rice as a response to the request from the Syrian government for the emergency humanitarian assistance.
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Over the first thousand tonnes of rice has been handed over by Hifzur Rahman, Indian Ambassador, to Syria’s minister of Local Administration and head of the Supreme Relief Committee, Husain Makhlouf.
The first half was delivered to the ailing country, for strengthening food security, at Latakia Port on Friday and the second half will be delivered to Syria by 18th February 2021.
Regardless of internal conflicts throughout the years regarding the number of developments and capacity building projects, Indian Government has always stood in solidarity with Syria and its people. Both the nations have enjoyed close and friendly relations.
Previous aids by India for Syria
A total of 1000 scholarships were extended to the Syrian students pursuing bachelors, Masters and post-doctoral programs in India universities during the academic year 2018-19 and 2019-20 .
In January 2020, a camp was set up in Damascus, capital of Syria called “Jaipur foot” for Artificial Limbs. The program was organised by the Indian External Affairs Ministry in a partnership with Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti benefiting 500 Syrian nationals.
During the covid-19 lockdown, in July 2020, India gifted 10 tons of medicine to Syria as a part of covid-19 assistance.
The preparatory work for “NextGen Centre for Information Technology” has begun in Damascus which was established by India.
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