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                UN Launches $4.4 Billion Appeal to Help Syrians

   Estimating that 6.8 million Syrians are in need of urgent help, the
   United Nations on Friday launched a record $4.4 billion international
   aid appeal for operations in Syria and neighboring countries.
   The U.N. reports its combined appeal tops the $5 billion mark when
   appeals by Jordan and Lebanon for $830 million are factored in. It says
   it already has pledges of about $1.4 billion.
   The funds would help care for those displaced inside Syria by the
   ongoing civil war, as well as Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon,
   Turkey and Iraq.
   Helping launch the appeal in Geneva, the U.N. High Commissioner for
   Refugees predicted Syria`s refugees could more than double in number by
   year`s end, reaching 3.5 million.
   U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos
   called the crisis a "human tragedy." She said more than 80,000 people
   have now been killed in Syria since protests against President Bashar
   al-Assad`s government began in March 2011.
   Meanwhile, the Lebanese army warned residents on Friday about getting
   embroiled in spillover fighting from Syria`s civil war.
   The warning came as fierce clashes in the northern city of Tripoli
   between supporters and opponents of President Assad eased on Friday.
   Deadly clashes between Damascus supporters and opponents inside Lebanon
   have been on the rise recently.
   A military statement said the Lebanese Army urges citizens to be wary
   of "plots" aimed at taking Lebanon backwards and "dragging it into a
   futile war."
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/un-launches-44-billion-appeal-to-help
   -syrians/1677301.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/un-launches-44-billion-appeal-to-help-syrians/1677301.html