Syria crisis response must be 'unprecedented', says World Vision UK at donor conference

The scale of the Syria crisis demands an 'unprecedented international response' which must stay on track, World Vision UK's Chief Exec has warned as a meeting of world leaders in Kuwait secures US$2.4bn in pledges. 

The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, convened the donors' meeting - with a target to raise US$6.5bn (£4bn) - ahead of the peace talks scheduled for next week to deal with the ever worsening human consequences.

Justin Byworth, the chief executive of World Vision UK, one of the largest agencies providing humanitarian assistance, is attending the meeting in Kuwait to press for more help from donor governments.

“A credible financial commitment from the international community is essential ahead of next week’s peace talks in Geneva. We welcome the UK government’s pledge and urge remaining donors to follow this strong example of providing assistance to those who need it most.” said Mr Byworth. “The scale of the humanitarian crisis for the Syrian people demands an unprecedented international response that mustn't be derailed or overshadowed by fears of the peace talks failing.  

“Ultimately, for the suffering to end Syria needs peace and that requires a political solution.  In the meantime a whole generation of Syria's children risks losing their chance of a productive future after missing out on an education for so long.   

“Here in Kuwait we are doing all we can to prevent that.   So, while we're physically straining every muscle to bring relief to those who are suffering, our hearts and minds are also on next week's peace talks in Geneva, for the seemingly impossible to be made possible - a first step on the long, tough road to peace.  

“The humanitarian consequences of continued fighting could not be more clear, as I’ve seen for myself” he added. “The number of Syrian refugees has quadrupled since the beginning of 2013, going from 660,000 to 2.3 million at the start of 2014.”

The UN has reported cases of malnutrition in areas either besieged by government forces or cut off by continuing fighting between rival factions.

“We are concerned that food is being used as a weapon of war within Syria, which is why I am pleased there have been strong statements from several governments today about the need to prevent this, along with calls to secure routes to allow humanitarian assistance to get through”, added Mr Byworth

“As well as facing hunger, millions of children have been missing out on formal schooling, as the civil war looks poised to enter its fourth year.

“They desperately need international assistance to resume their studies or it will be too late for a whole generation of Syrian children to catch up.”

The protracted nature of the crisis along with the an economic downturn tied to concerns over regional instability due to the massive influx of refugees has stretched neighbouring government resources to the breaking point and has resulted in 2.3 million people living in neighbouring countries (primarily Lebanon and Jordan) also needing assistance.

By the end of yesterday (Wednesday), US$2.4bn had been pledged - a third of funding the UN says is needed for this year.