Germany intends to increase $62 million for Syrian projects and schools

Germany announced on Monday that it would support 60 million euros ($62.70 million) in programs in Syria to improve women’s rights, education, and other sectors following President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster.

Development Minister Svenja Schulze said that since rebels took over Damascus on Dec. 8, ending his family’s decades-long rule and forcing Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war, a “historic window” has opened.

“It is still unclear what will happen next. “But we should now do everything we can to support the positive development that is available,” she said in a statement.

With 25 million euros going to UNICEF, the U.N. children’s agency, and 6 million euros going to Arche Nova, an assistance organization that operates schools for over 3,000 children, approximately half of the initiatives were centered on education.

“Our expectations are very clear: we want an educational system that is free from prejudice, exclusion, and ideology,” Schulze added in the statement.

Syrian NGOs will receive 7 million euros, another 19 million euros will go to the United Nations development agency UNDP, and 3 million euros will go to a special U.N. fund that supports Syrian women’s organizations, according to the statement.

The ministry further stated that all projects would be managed by U.N. relief agencies and non-governmental groups rather than Syria’s new government.

($1 is equivalent to 0.9569 euros).