By Judith Ugwumadu | 7 July 2014

The UK is to provide more than £46m in humanitarian assistance to help civilians in hard-to-reach areas of Syria, International Development Secretary Justine Greening announced at the weekend.

Speaking from the Syrian border, Greening said the aid would ensure food, medical supplies and shelter reaches areas where people are cut off and receiving little or no help.

British aid for people in the war-torn country will be delivered through cross-border operations that bypass the Syrian regime, which is preventing the release of aid to large parts of the country, the Department for International Development said.

Of the £46m money, £27.3m will provide food assistance to around 76,000 people each month, tents for 2,000 families, hygiene kits for a further 22,500 and seeds, fertiliser and training for over 20,000 people, including women and vulnerable youth.

The remaining £19.4m will go towards the provision of vital medical supplies and health services for thousands more Syrians in hard-to-reach areas. 

‘Britain’s provision of cross-border aid is a pragmatic, effective way of ensuring we can save lives,’ Greening said.

‘The UK will continue to support the work of the UN, which is helping millions in many parts of Syria, but cross border operations can reach those the UN cannot.

‘While in Turkey I have been fortunate to meet some of the aid workers risking their lives to get this aid across the border. Their courage is giving a lifeline to millions in desperate need.’

The UK Department for International Development has so far committed £500m to the Syrian crisis.

The ongoing civil war in Syria has gutted its economy, shattered public services and seen government debt climbed to 126% of gross domestic product, according to a United Nations report, published last month.

In December, the UN launched an appeal for $6.5bn to meet humanitarian needs both inside Syria and the wider region.