Western, Arab states pledge $1.4 billion in fresh Syria aid

2014-01-15 27

An international gathering to find fresh aid for Syria.

Western and Arab states were in Kuwait on Wednesday.

That's where they pledged nearly one and a half BILLION dollars to the United Nations for its humanitarian aid efforts in Syria.

Kuwait alone promised 500 million dollars.

The United States, represented by Secretary of State John Kerry, pledged 380 million.

U.N. refugee commission spokesperson Melissa Fleming.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES SPOKESPERSON, MELISSA FLEMING, SAYING

"We have estimated that we will need 6.5 billion dollars in 2014 to help Syrians, Syrians who are internally displaced inside the country and Syrians who have been forced to flee outside the country."

Wednesday's promise of fresh aid comes after the UN appealed for help last month.

It was the largest request for aid ever made by the UN

Syria's nearly three-year-long civil war has left millions of people hungry,

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