17th January, 2013
World Vision Australia has urged the Australian Government to allocate more humanitarian aid funding to address the crisis in Syria following the government’s decision to pledge $10 million toward an international appeal this week.
Chief executive Tim Costello says the latest pledge falls "well short" of what could be expected. "We call on the Australian Government to give more to the crisis as millions of Syrians and host communities are feeling the ongoing impacts of the conflict; it is a daily struggle to survive."
The UN has this week sought $US6.5 billion from world leaders at the Second International Syria Pledging Conference in Kuwait City – the largest appeal in history – but pledges only came in at $US2.4 billion. The US pledged $US380 million at the conference and the UK $US160 million.
Mr Costello said Australia’s pledge fell short given the size of the appeal and Australia’s resources relative to other donors.
More than 4.3 million children have been displaced by the conflict within Syria with another 1.2 having fled to neighbouring countries.
To donate to World Vision’s Syrian Refugee Crisis Appeal, phone 13 32 40 or visit www.worldvision.com.au.
– DAVID ADAMS