WASHINGTON, January 30 (RIA Novosti) US President Barack Obama announced Tuesday he has authorized an additional $155 million in humanitarian aid for the people of Syria.
“The relief we send doesn't say `Made in America,’ but make no mistake, our aid reflects the commitment of the American people,” Obama said in a video addressing the Syrian people, which was posted on the White House website Tuesday.
The new funding brings the total US humanitarian aid to Syria to $365 million over the past two years, White House officials said.
The United Nations (UN) has estimated that more than 60,000 Syrians have been killed since the uprising there began in March 2011.
Approximately 2.5 million people are displaced inside of Syria, and more than 678,000 people have fled to neighboring countries, UN officials estimate.
On Monday UN officials said that only a small percentage has been donated toward a $1.5 billion aid target for Syria.
In the video, Obama called on other nations to step forward. “I also call on the international community to do more to help these Syrians in need, and to contribute to the latest UN humanitarian appeal.”
Obama also had sharp language for the Syrian government. “For nearly two years, the Assad regime has waged a brutal war against the Syrian people, murdering innocent men, women and children in their homes, in bread lines and at universities. In the face of this barbarism, the United States has joined with nations around the world in calling for an end to the Assad regime.”
"The Syrian people will have their chance to forge their own future," Obama said. "And they will continue to find a partner in the United States of America."
Obama said the additional assistance would be used for food, clean water, clothing, stoves, medicine, immunizations for children, health care for victims of sexual violence, and field hospitals for the wounded.
