Western and Gulf states pledge $2.4bn Syria aid

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Source: Gulf Times

Western and Gulf Arab nations pledged more than $2.4bn yesterday for UN aid efforts in Syria, where a near three-year civil war has left millions of people hungry, ailing or displaced.

The pledge arose from a UN appeal for $6.5bn in 2014, which was launched last month and is the largest in the organisation’s history.

The world body estimates the conflict has reversed development gains in Syria by 35 years, with half its people now living in poverty.

But only around 70% of $1.5bn pledged at a similar meeting last year has reached UN coffers, hinting at donor fatigue with no end to the bloodshed on the horizon.

Read more: http://www.gulf-times.com/region/216/details/377967/western-and-gulf-states-pledge-$24bn-syria-aid