Iraq News

UN seeks $3.5 billion for Syrian refugees in Turkey

The UN on Monday (February 6th) called on donor countries to supply $3.5 billion in the next two years to help improve education and living standards for the almost three million Syrian refugees hosted by Turkey, AFP reported.

The figure of $3.5 billion for the next two years is part of a $4.6 billion package the UN is seeking to help refugees including those hosted by Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt.

According to the latest UN figures, Turkey is hosting 2.75 million Syrians -- of whom 300,000 live in camps and 2.45 million live in host communities.

A UNHCR spokesperson said until last year the response plans for Turkey remained the "lowest-funded among those for the frontline host-countries of Syrian refugees".

A priority for funding is education, with some 380,000 children or 40% of Syrian children in Turkey, not going to school, according to UNICEF.

The plan also aims to improve nutrition of Syrian refugees, provide access to health services and encourage work opportunities.

The UN said in its report on the plan that poverty remains prevalent among the Syrian population in Turkey, 80% of whom are registered in the south-east of the country.

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