UN emergency fund releases an additional US$25 million to boost earthquake response in Syria

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, has announced an additional US$25 million grant to boost aid efforts in the earthquake-stricken parts of Syria.

These additional funds from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) will aim to address some of the most urgent needs of the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the earthquakes.

The earthquake struck as humanitarian conditions in Syria are worsening. Needs are at the highest level since the conflict began, amid dwindling resources, a cholera outbreak and harsh winter conditions.

“We are responding as fast as we can to help the people of Syria, who have already been through so much,” said Mr. Griffiths. “We appreciate the overwhelming support from across the world to support the search-and-rescue efforts.”

The additional grant follows the $25 million released earlier this week for response efforts in the region. This now brings the total amount released by CERF for emergency response operations in the region to $50 million in just a few days.