By Vivienne Russell | 13 January 2014

Justine Greening, the UK’s international development secretary, has called on countries across the globe to step up the funding provided to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Syria.

Ahead of a major United Nations pledging conference in Kuwait, set for Wednesday, the Greening warned the crisis would escalate sharply unless there was a significant boost to aid funding.

‘This is an unparalleled crisis and the world stands ready to respond accordingly,’ she said. 

‘Countries need to show they are ready to help meet to meet the shortfall on the UN’s biggest appeal ever. Governments must make sure that all the money they have already promised has been delivered and everyone should be ready to make significant pledges. The world cannot risk failing a generation of Syrians.’

In December, the UN launched an appeal for $6.5bn to meet humanitarian needs both inside Syria and the wider region. The UK said that, with more than 11 million Syrians already in need of assistance and that number set to rise further this year, international commitments have so far fallen well short.

Greening called on the international community to send senior delegates to the Kuwait conference, who prepared to make significant pledges. She added that funding should be directed through recognised UN and non-governmental organisation channels to ensure responses are coordinated.

Her call came as the UK Department for International Development released £30m specifically to help women and children in Syria. This is the final allocation from the £500m the UK has so far committed to the Syrian crisis. It will help pay for the provision of safe spaces for women and children, both in Syria and Iraq, provide food vouchers and rations and address health and sanitary needs for Syrian woman and girls in Jordan.