Clinton’s aid plan for stricken Syrian civilians

US: The United States unveiled $45 million in new aid to Syria Friday, and urged the global community to maintain its resolve as Syrian grassroots activists appealed to world leaders for help.

Hosting a meeting of the Friends of Syria group, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington was donating new funds to meet a growing humanitarian crisis caused by the country’s bloody 18-month conflict that has claimed some 30,000 lives.

The announcement came as armed rebels unleashed an unprecedented barrage of mortar fire against troops in Aleppo after announcing a “decisive” battle for Syria’s second city.

Clinton announced an extra $30 million to help get supplies and medical services to “the people suffering under the relentless assaults,” bringing the US commitment to humanitarian funding to over $132 million.

She also unveiled an extra “$15 million to support Syrian civilian opposition groups,” for a total of some $45 million of support to the unarmed opposition.

The latest aid would go toward helping “besieged communities inside Syria,” the State Department said. It would also provide medical and mental health care for children caught up in the fierce fighting, as well as provide clean water, materials for shelter, blankets and basic necessities, such as soap and pots and pans.

Clinton said the extra funds for the civilian opposition translated into “1,100 sets of communications equipment, including satellite-linked computers, cell phones and cameras, as well training for more than 1,000 activists.”

AFP