U.N. gives $50 million to support aid to Syrians

Above: dramatic raw footage posted online purports to show the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad bombarding rebel-held positions in Kfar Batna, Deir el-Zour, and Homs province

The U.N. humanitarian chief has allocated $50 million to support the efforts of humanitarian agencies assisting the growing number of Syrians affected by the 2 1/2-year crisis in the country and in the region.

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Valerie Amos said Friday the money from the U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund represents the largest-ever single contribution to support a co-ordinated response to a single crisis.

She said $20 million will support aid operations inside Syria, $15 million will go to scale up efforts in Lebanon, $10 million will support the recent influx of Syrian refugees in Iraq and $5 million will boost humanitarian programs in Jordan.

The U.N. says more than 4.2 million people are displaced within Syria and 2 million have fled to other countries in the region.

For our ongoing coverage of the crisis in Syria, click here