LOC07:48
04:48 GMT
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (KUNA) -- The Australian government on Tuesday announced it will provide additional USD 20 million for the life-saving effort inside Syria and in neighboring Lebanon.
The funds will help provide food, medical assistance, shelter and protection to people in need inside Syria, as well as refugees and their host communities in Lebanon, according to a press release by the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Syrian conflict has entered its fifth year and an estimated 12.2 million people are now in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria - more than half the country's pre-war population, the statement noted.
A further 3.9 million Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries. Lebanon is the most affected, hosting almost 1.2 million Syrian refugees, comprising 25 per cent of its population.
"Australian funding will support the World Food Programme and the International Committee of the Red Cross to deliver much-needed food and medical assistance in Syria," the statement noted.
"Our assistance will help the UN Refugee Agency provide protection and shelter to Syrian refugees and support vulnerable Lebanese communities.
"Funding will also allow Australian non-government organisations to address the specific needs of women, girls and survivors of gender-based violence," it went on.
This contribution at the Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria in Kuwait City will bring Australia's total humanitarian assistance in response to the Syria crisis to USD 155.8 million since 2011. (end)
mam.gb