The United Nations on Friday launched a record $5.2-billion aid appeal to fund operations in Syria and neighbouring nations, warning that the number of people caught up in the brutal conflict would spiral to 10 million. The sum by far overshadows the previous record of $2.2 billion (1.7 billion euros) in a 2003 UN appeal aiming to tackle the Iraq war crisis.
"We are witnessing not only the dramatic suffering of a people, but the progressive collapse of a state and the physical destruction of a country, with an increasing impact in the region," said Antonio Guterres, head of the UN's refugee agency. "If the fighting doesn't stop, we risk an explosion in the Middle East for which the international community is not prepared," he added, saying aid efforts were no substitute for peace but still crucial to pave the way. "It is not only a matter of generosity but also of enlightened self-interest," he added. The $5.2 billion is for aid including food, which accounts for one-fifth of the sum, plus clean water, medical care and schooling, as well as to build refugee camps.
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