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December 17, 2013

U.N. Makes Historic Fund Appeal for Syria 
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The United Nations has launched its largest-ever funding appeal for a
single crisis, requesting $6.5 billion in funds for the people of Syria.
The U.N. estimates nearly three-quarters of Syria's population will need
humanitarian aid next year. Speaking in Geneva, U.N. humanitarian chief
Valerie Amos said the agency is seeking $12.9 billion in overall
humanitarian aid.

Valerie Amos: "The plans total 12.9 billion to reach everyone we hope to
help in 2014. This is the largest amount we have ever had to request at
the start of the year. Six-point-five billion of this will support our
efforts in Syria and in neighboring countries. And again, this is the
largest-ever appeal for a single crisis. Even if there were an end to
the violence in Syria tomorrow, we would still have a major humanitarian
crisis on our hands."

The United Nations' latest request surpasses its call in June for more
than $4 billion in aid to Syria, only 60 percent of which has actually
been funded so far.

 

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