16 May Regulating the Handling of Transfers and Humanitarian Aid Received from Outside the Country
Regulating the Handling of Transfers and Humanitarian Aid Received from Outside the Country
(A Legal Reading of Decision No. /234/ Issued by the Central Bank of Syria)
The Central Bank of Syria issued Decision No. /234/ dated 21 April 2026, within the framework of regulating the handling of transfers and humanitarian aid received from outside the country into the accounts of humanitarian NGOs and entities, in a manner that enhances the control of these financial flows and ensures their compliance with the applicable laws and regulations.
The decision stipulates that all amounts received from outside Syria into the accounts of UN organizations, international NGOs, associations, and humanitarian entities shall be considered humanitarian aid in foreign currency, and shall be deposited into bank accounts opened with licensed banks. It is understood from this that these funds fall within a regulated framework subject to banking supervision, ensuring their tracking and handling in accordance with approved procedures.
The decision also indicated that these amounts are executed in Syrian Pounds upon the request of the account-holding entity.
Regarding the use of these funds, the decision obliges banks to enable NGOs and associations to settle their obligations and operational expenses that must be paid in foreign currency, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations and under the responsibility of the bank. The decision also assigns banks a clear regulatory and supervisory role, as it obliges them to implement its provisions and submit periodic reports containing data on operations related to these transfers to the competent authorities, which enhances transparency and subjects these financial flows to continuous monitoring.
The decision also includes amendments to previous provisions related to transfers, within the context of updating the legal framework regulating the work of NGOs, with confirmation that it enters into force as of the date of its issuance, and assigning the relevant authorities to issue the necessary executive instructions to ensure proper implementation.
To access the full decision, please use the following link:
