UN conference to raise aid for Syria conflict refugees falls well short of target

An international conference aimed at raising aid for the victims of the Syrian conflict raised just over half of what the UN said was needed to support refugees from the country, as aid charities warn of “unmet and growing needs” among survivors.

The Brussels II summit, which was jointly organised by the European Union and United Nations and held on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, raised $4.4bn (£3.2bn) – well short of the roughly $7-8bn the UN organisers had estimated was required.

Thanking the EU, Germany and Britain for making large contributions, Mark Lowcock, the UN’s humanitarian chief, said the money was “a good start” but that it would have to be saved for desperate cases given the shortfall.