UNICEF launches record $2.2bn crisis appeal

UNICEF launched a record $2.2 billion aid appeal Friday to help tens of millions of children around the world, saying the lion's share was to deal with the Syria war.

"Children are always the most vulnerable group in emergencies, facing a high risk of violence, exploitation, disease and neglect," said Ted Chaiban, head of emergency operations at the UN children's agency.
The appeal outstripped the call for $1.4 billion made by UNICEF at the beginning of 2013, and which was revised to $1.7 billion in October.
UNICEF said that 40 percent of the money it was asking for would be destined to tackle the impact of Syria's civil war.
Children make up a major proportion of the millions of Syrians driven from their homes by the vicious conflict, and who have either headed to other parts of the country or flooded across the borders to neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
All told, UNICEF said it aims to provide humanitarian aid to 59 million children in 50 war- and disaster-stricken countries this year, as well as 26 million adults.