"We have high hopes for the donor conference in Brussels and are confident of the continued support of our donors. Our budget just for Syria, which is our largest operation, for this year is just over 178 million Swiss Francs, of which we still need 150 million," Maurer said.
According to the president, In total, ICRC is asking donors for $1.6 billion for field operations in 2017. "Needs are huge. [In] Total, we are asking donors for 1.6 billion Swiss Francs, for our field operations in 2017, up 6% on last year’s initial budget," the president said.
He stressed that in the last five years the ICRC’s budget had grown by more than 50 percent. This increase reflects the massive humanitarian needs stemming from conflicts around the world, which have now forced a record 65 million people worldwide from their homes, the highest figure on record, Maurer underscored.
UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said in January that the United Nations would be a co-chair of the upcoming Syrian Donors Conference in Brussels, proposed by EU chief diplomat Federica Mogherini.
An international conference on war-torn Syria in London last year pledged a record $10 billion after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon laid out three main objectives: raising $7 billion in immediate humanitarian aid, mustering long-term support, and protecting civilians.
According to Mogherini, April would be the preferred month to hold the Syrian Donors Conference.
