King Charles Makes Significant Donation to Humanitarian Charity Helping People in Syria
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01/02/2025 10:56 AM
The King gave to the International Rescue Committee as part of his mission to support rebuilding of countries and bringing communities together
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King Charles III and Paris priest Fr Dominic Robinson SJ leave an Advent Service celebrating the strength and courage of faith communities at The Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 17, 2024 in London, EnglandKing Charles is kicking off the new year by thinking of others.
The King, 76, has made a donation that insiders called a significant, though undisclosed, amount to the humanitarian work being done to help people in Syria.
He has given the money to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which is working to aid the country in the wake of the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad.
Assad's dictatorial reign came to an abrupt end in early December 2024 when he and his family fled to Moscow, Russia in the wake of an uprising by the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group led by Abu Mohammad al-Julani.
Charles became patron of the IRC's U.K. branch in 2021, when he was still Prince of Wales.
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk on Dec. 25, 2024In a press release, the IRC said Syria is the fourth-ranked country on its watchlist for 2025 and faces "profound humanitarian needs, despite recent political developments."
"Years of conflict, political instability and widespread displacement have deeply eroded the country's resilience, leaving millions of people in need of lifesaving support," the release said.
The organization added it was "immensely grateful" to King Charles, and Khusbu Patel, acting executive director of the IRC in the U.K., said in a statement, "His Majesty's contribution underscores his deep commitment to addressing urgent global challenges and helping people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives."
"This assistance will enable us to provide essential services, including healthcare, child protection and emergency cash to those people most in need. His dedication shines a vital spotlight on these pressing challenges, and we hope it inspires others to join in supporting these efforts," Patel continued.
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive to the Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace on Nov. 19, 2024 in London, EnglandThe donation follows Charles' recognition in his televised Christmas speech of the "devastating effects of conflict" around the world. In his address, which marked his third Christmas broadcast since taking the throne in September 2022, he also praised the "humanitarian organizations working tirelessly to bring relief."
Related: King Charles and Queen Camilla Lead Royal Family Christmas Walk After Challenging Year
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Charles also joined a Catholic congregation supporting a charity helping Christians persecuted across the Middle East and the globe.
Donations supporting the IRC work in Syria can be made at its U.S. and U.K. websites.
