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Syria crisis: UN launches largest ever aid appeal Syria crisis: UN launches largest ever aid appeal
(about 2 hours later)
The United Nations has launched the largest appeal in its history - seeking $5bn (£3.2bn; 3.7bn euros) for humanitarian aid to Syria.The United Nations has launched the largest appeal in its history - seeking $5bn (£3.2bn; 3.7bn euros) for humanitarian aid to Syria.
The UN estimates more than 10 million Syrians - half the population - will need help by the end of the year.The UN estimates more than 10 million Syrians - half the population - will need help by the end of the year.
As many as four million children are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, the UN's children's agency Unicef says. As many as four million children are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, the UN children's agency Unicef says.
UN humanitarian officials have admitted they may struggle to raise the record sums they are now asking for.UN humanitarian officials have admitted they may struggle to raise the record sums they are now asking for.
Governments were criticised for being slow to commit funds to the previous UN target of $1.5bn for the first six months of this year, the BBC's Nick Childs says.Governments were criticised for being slow to commit funds to the previous UN target of $1.5bn for the first six months of this year, the BBC's Nick Childs says.
UN officials say most of that money - $1.2bn - has now been committed, he adds.UN officials say most of that money - $1.2bn - has now been committed, he adds.
Lost generation
But, in Geneva on Friday, the UN said it had revised up the amount of funding needed because of the worsening security situation in Syria.But, in Geneva on Friday, the UN said it had revised up the amount of funding needed because of the worsening security situation in Syria.
It expects the number of refugees - currently more than 1.5 million - to leap to nearly 3.5 million by the end of 2013. 'Masking a human tragedy'
Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told a news conference that refugee camps were currently receiving 7,000 new arrivals every day - putting huge pressure on Syria's neighbours. One in three Syrians is now in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, UN Emergency Relief Co-ordinator Valerie Amos said in a news conference on Friday.
"Funding Syria's humanitarian needs is a matter not only of generosity but enlightened self interest," he said. "Between January and April, the number of people displaced in Syria more than doubled. These are massive figures, but those figures mask a human tragedy," she added.
The UN expects the number of refugees - currently more than 1.5 million - to leap to nearly 3.5 million by the end of 2013.
Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told reporters that refugee camps were currently receiving 7,000 new arrivals every day - putting huge pressure on Syria's neighbours.
"Funding Syria's humanitarian needs is a matter not only of generosity but enlightened self-interest," he said.
Within Syria itself, UN officials estimate that nearly seven million people will be dependent on aid, having been forced to flee their homes.Within Syria itself, UN officials estimate that nearly seven million people will be dependent on aid, having been forced to flee their homes.
Many of those within Syria have already suffered or witnessed appalling violence, lost family members and are living without food, shelter, medical care and schooling.Many of those within Syria have already suffered or witnessed appalling violence, lost family members and are living without food, shelter, medical care and schooling.
Unicef is warning of a lost generation of young Syrians.Unicef is warning of a lost generation of young Syrians.
The $5bn sought by the UN would cover only the most basic needs of people until the end of this year.The $5bn sought by the UN would cover only the most basic needs of people until the end of this year.
Aid workers say that, even if the fighting were to stop tomorrow, Syria and its people would still need years to recover.Aid workers say that, even if the fighting were to stop tomorrow, Syria and its people would still need years to recover.
Responding to the UN's latest appeal, International Development Secretary Justine Greening said the UK is "ready to play its role" and urged other donors to make contributions.
The UK-based Save the Children charity says "money alone will not be enough", calling for greater access for aid agencies to worst affected areas of Syria as an urgent priority.
The UN-led appeal was launched just days after Syrian troops backed by Lebanese Hezbollah militants regained control of the key town of Qusair and the UN-monitored crossing in the Golan Heights.