/ 10 December 2012

EU to provide $39-million in humanitarian aid to Syria

EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva has expressed concern over the growing number of displaced Syrians.
EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva has expressed concern over the growing number of displaced Syrians.

This is according to the European Union (EU) executive on Monday.

"With the onset of winter and intensive fighting throughout the country, the humanitarian situation in Syria is deteriorating daily," EU humanitarian aid commissioner Kristalina Georgieva said.

"Over 1.2-million [civilians] are displaced in Syria itself and almost half a million across the borders to Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq," she added.

The aid will be used to provide health care, shelter, food, water, sanitation and household items.

The institution and the EU's member states have now contributed more than $310-million in humanitarian assistance to Syria.

Hague urges countries to recognise Syrian opposition
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary William Hague urged other countries on Monday to follow Britain in fully recognising the Syrian opposition group led by Moaz al-Khatib.

"We've given our full recognition to them, we hope that other countries will do so at the Friends of Syria meeting in Marrakesh," Hague said ahead of talks between EU foreign ministers and al-Khatib in Brussels.

Hague did not rule out a partial lifting of the Syrian arms embargo to help the rebels when it comes up for renewal in three months, but said the step would require careful consideration. – Sapa-DPA