Syria

The United States is committed to helping the innocent children, women, and men affected by the ongoing conflict in Syria.

Four million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance, over 2 million people are internally displaced, and nearly one million people have fled to the neighboring countries. The United States is committed to helping the innocent children, women, and men affected by the ongoing conflict in Syria.

The United States is providing food aid, medical supplies, emergency and basic health care, shelter materials, clean water, hygiene education and supplies, and other relief supplies—including blankets and heaters—to help those affected by the crisis in Syria.

Today in Geneva, Switzerland, at the Syria Humanitarian Forum, U.S. Agency for International Development Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, Nancy Lindborg announced that the United States is providing an additional $19 million in humanitarian assistance in response to urgent needs emanating from the brutal conflict in Syria. On January 29, President Obama announced an additional $155 million to help those suffering inside Syria and refugees in the neighboring countries. Today’s announcement brings the United States total contribution of humanitarian support in response to this crisis to nearly $385 million.

HUMANITARIAN FUNDING TO SYRIA HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE IN FY12 AND FY13*

*These figures are current as of February 19, 2013

Key Developments

At the February 19 Syria Humanitarian Forum in Geneva, Switzerland, USAID Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance Nancy Lindborg announced that the United States is providing an additional $19 million in humanitarian assistance in response to urgent needs of those affected by the ongoing conflict in Syria. The newly announced contribution will enable the distribution of emergency food assistance, health care services, relief commodities, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities. To date, the USG has provided nearly $385 million in humanitarian assistance to the Syria response

According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 255,000 Syrians have fled the country in the past eight weeks. At this rate, the number of refugees residing in neighboring countries could reach more than 1.1 million by late April rather than June—exceeding the U.N. planning figures presented in the Syria Regional Response Plan.

On February 13, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay announced that the conflict in Syria has claimed the lives of nearly 70,000 people since March 2011. The figure represents an increase in the death toll of nearly 10,000 people since the beginning of 2013.