Ban Ki-moon to chair second Syria donor conference

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will chair the second Syria donor conference, to be hosted by Kuwait next month, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Humanitarian Coordinator Nigel Fisher told KUNA news agency. "(His Highness) the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has agreed to open the second international pledging conference for Syria and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will chair the day and the UN Undersecretary General for Emergency Relief Operation Valerie Amos will be presenting the needs of this year," Fisher said. "Over 60 - 65 governments have been invited to make their pledges and also the governments around Syria which are hosting Syrian refugees will be there to talk about their plans for the present and for the future," he noted. The UN official spoke highly about the great success of the first Syria donor conference which Kuwait hosted in January 2013. This year, Kuwait hosted a very successful high level conference for Syria where over $ 1.5 billion was raised for Syria appeal. "Kuwait alone pledged $ 300 million, nearly 20 percent of the pledges and it fulfilled its pledges by April. About $ 275 million have gone to UN agencies and almost spent to make a huge difference," the UN official said. As for the UN plans of action for helping Syria in 2014, he said that the situation is getting worse in Syria, the efforts and funds required for assisting affected people are increasing. "In total for helping over nine million affected Syrians within Syria and up to four million refugees, perhaps we estimate may be outside the country by the end of 2014, we plan to issue an appeal for a total of $ 6.5 billion," he added.