16 Jan 2014

NZ boosts aid for Syria refugees

11:34 am on 16 January 2014

The New Zealand Government says it will give another $5 million to help people displaced by the conflict in Syria, bringing its total contributions to $12.5 million.

Murray McCully

Murray McCully Photo: NATIONAL PARTY

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the money will support Unicef operations in Jordan and Lebanon aimed at providing critical education and health services to some of the Syrian children affected by the conflict.

More than two million refugees have now fled Syria and another 6.5 million are displaced within the country.

New Zealand is among 70 countries represented at a donors' meeting in Kuwait, which have collectively pledged to commit $US2.5 billion in aid to displaced Syrians.