Switzerland to donate nearly 50 mln USD to Syrian victims

The Swiss government announced Monday that the country will provide 50 million CHF(49.15 million U.S. dollars) in aid to Syrians who have fallen victim to the conflict which has been raging since 2011.

Swiss President Johann Schneider-Amman will make the pledge in this year's Syria Donors Conference which will be attended by around 30 heads of states and governments in London on February 4.

Since the conflict started almost five years ago, Switzerland has allocated over 250 million CHF towards assistance in Syria and in neighbouring countries.

The Swiss federal council said in a statement that "one of the priorities of the assistance provided by Switzerland is to help build a longer term outlook for those affected in the region around Syria."

"Overall around two-thirds of Switzerland's contribution takes the form of multi-year projects," it added.

With 6 million Syrian children in need of humanitarian aid, of which nearly half are unable to go to school, education and training have been at the forefront of the confederation's assistance efforts.

Close to 120 schools have been or are in the process of being refurbished in Jordan and Lebanon, providing 60,000 refugees and local children with safer access to schools.

The Swiss government indicated that around half of the 50 million CHF donation will be used in Syria itself, with the other half going to those affected in neighbouring countries. Enditem