US announces $155 mln additional aid

WASHINGTON

President Barack Obama has called on the actors to do more for Syrians. AP photo

The Obama administration has approved an additional $155 million in humanitarian aid for people in Syria and refugees fleeing the violence.

The commitment will bring America’s total humanitarian aid to Syria to $365 million. “This new aid will mean more warm clothing for children and medicine for the elderly; flour and wheat for your families and blankets, boots and stoves for those huddled in damaged buildings. It will mean health care for victims of sexual violence and field hospitals for the wounded. Even as we work to end the violence against you, this aid will help address some of the immediate needs you face each day,” President Obama said in a statement. 

He also called on the international community to do more to help these Syrians in need, and to contribute to the latest U.N. humanitarian appeal. Meanwhile, more than 700,000 Syrian refugees have fled to other countries in the region and aid workers are struggling to keep up with the exodus, the United Nations said yesterday, according to Reuters.

The number of refugees passed the 500,000 mark on Dec. 11, meaning more than 200,000 have fled the war-torn country in the past seven weeks.

A total of about 712,000 refugees had registered in other countries in the region or were awaiting processing there as of yesterday, according to official figures. 

Turkey has 163,161 Syrian refugees in its 15 camps while Jordan has 171,033 registered refugees. Lebanon has 158,973 Syrian refugees, and 69,963 awaiting processing.