Iceland increases assistance to Syrian refugees

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has contributed 50 thousand USD to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, towards their Regional Response Plan for Syrian refugees.

The conflict in Syria has been escalating with devastating consequences for civilians. The number of Syrian refugees has now hit 2 million, half of whom are children. The neighbouring host countries are faced with unprecedented strain on their communities, infrastructure and services and humanitarian appeals for aid to the people of Syria are growing.

The Government of Iceland has contributed the following assistance towards Syria in 2012 and 2013:
180 thousand USD to UNICEF allocated to Syrian children dwelling on the borders of Syria and Jordan.
50 thousand USD to UNHCR allocated towards internally displaced people in Syria.
50 thousand USD to UNRWA in Lebanon which gives Palestinian refugee children from Syria access to basic services.
80 thousand USD to the Icelandic Red Cross allocated to Syrian refugees in Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon.