We welcome the UK Government's commitment to quadruple its aid to help fund UN emergency help for Syrian refugee children and families.
Earlier today the international development secretary Andrew Mitchell visited the Za'atari refugee camp in northern Jordan where more than 3,500 Syrians are staying. Half are estimated to be children and adolescents.
Mr Mitchell toured Za'atari visiting a UNICEF-supported child-friendly space – a safe place where children can play, learn and receive psychosocial support.
"Conditions in the desert camp are difficult and funds are urgently needed to scale up emergency response efforts," said UNICEF Jordan Acting Representative Michele Servadei.
"We are pleased with the British government's commitment and are optimistic other donor nations will provide similar support."
The funding announced today will contribute to UNICEF's work in the Za'atari camp and in neighbouring Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey.
It will enable us to provide more essential water, sanitation and hygiene assistance, and support more than 5,000 distressed children needing special care after witnessing violence in Syria.
The UN estimates 1.5 million people in Syria need help. More than 130,000 Syrian refugees have been registered in neighbouring Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. UNICEF has appealed for £24.8 million to support its regional emergency response plan to the crisis. So far it has received less than half of the funds needed.
