Qatar to allocate $87mln for salaries of civil servants in Syria
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Qatar will provide $87 million over three months to cover part of Syria's public sector salaries, with aid exempted from US sanctions and administered by the UNDP.
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Children buy from a street vendor in an open market in Aleppo, Syria, on January 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Qatari authorities have pledged $87 million in financial support to cover public sector salaries in Syria over a period of three months, according to Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh.
Speaking to Syria TV on Wednesday, Barnieh expressed gratitude for what he described as a significant contribution toward easing the financial burden of the transitional government. “We thank the Qatari government for the assistance provided to cover part of the current salary costs,” he said.
The monthly installment of $29 million will be allocated to cover the salaries of employees working in health, education, and social security, as well as pensions for civilian retirees.
The aid package represents approximately one-fifth of the current payroll, Barnieh noted, and may be extended beyond the initial three-month period.
UNDP to administer funds under US sanctions exemption
Barnieh noted that the aid from Qatar has been exempted from US sanctions targeting Syria. “We thank the US Treasury Department for its quick response and assistance,” he said, highlighting the importance of the exemption in facilitating the transfer and disbursement of funds.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will oversee the administration of the financial support, ensuring that the allocated funds are directed toward public sector employees and retirees across the designated sectors.
It is worth noting that late last month, Saudi Arabia and Qatar vowed to pay Syria’s $15 million debt to the World Bank, unlocking access to reconstruction and public-sector funding. It marks the first Saudi financial aid to Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Syria’s economy remains devastated by years of war and sanctions, posing major challenges for the new rebel-led government.
“This commitment will pave the way for the World Bank Group to resume support and operations in Syria after a suspension of more than 14 years,” the two countries said in a joint statement on Sunday during the spring meetings in Washington of the World Bank and IMF.
