Iraq News

UN seeks nearly $5 billion for Syria refugees

UN agencies and aid groups on Tuesday (January 24th) appealed for $4.63 billion in 2017 to help Syrians who have fled their country's war and sought refuge in neighbouring countries, AFP reported.

The appeal is on top of the $3.4 billion that the UN estimates is needed this year for the 13.5 million people still in Syria who have been affected by the conflict.

"Syrian refugees and host communities need our support now more than ever," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi told an international aid conference in Helsinki.

"The international community must send a clear message that it stands with them and provides the urgently-needed support," he said.

The appeal, by the UN and 240 partner agencies, is for what is called the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP) for 2017 and 2018.

The $4.63 billion figure is the amount set for 2017. A funding figure has yet to be set for 2018.

The programme aims at financing and organising aid for 4.7 million refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.

These countries, which have borne the brunt of the refugee crisis sparked by the Syrian conflict, are struggling to meet the challenges triggered by the influx.

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