São Paulo – The European Union (EU) has donated 63 million euros to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Unhcr) to aid Syrian citizens displaced by the civil war which erupted in the country in March 2011. It is the highest single donation ever made by the EU to the UN agency. The aid came two days after a plea for US$ 6.5 billion from the Unhcr to help fight the crisis in the Arab country.
“We must do whatever we can to help those who have lost everything through this conflict. One of UNHCR’s priorities is to bolster support in the neighbouring countries during the winter, where the vast majority of Syrian refugees live and where needs are greater than ever. The Unhcr is grateful for the EU’s support,” said António Guterres, the High Commissioner for Refugees, according to a press release.
Since March 2011, when conflicts broke out in Syria, over 2.3 million people have left the country and another 6.5 million had to leave their houses and displace themselves internally. The EU’s contribution will help ensure that Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq are reached.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
