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<p>At the “Supporting Syria and the Region London 2016” Conference we co-hosted on
4<sup>th</sup> February 2016, leaders came together to pledge more than $11 billion,
the largest amount raised in one day for a humanitarian crisis. Commitments made at
the Conference will help to create 1.1 million jobs and provide education to an additional
1 million children. The protection of civilians was at the heart of the Conference.
Participants agreed to use their influence with all parties to the conflict to halt
abuses, to allow humanitarian agencies rapid, safe and unimpeded access throughout
Syria in order to reach besieged and hard-to-reach areas. The outcomes of the conference
are reflected in the Co-hosts' statement available on the Conference website <a href="http://www.supportingsyria2016.com/"
target="_blank">www.supportingsyria2016.com</a>.</p><p>The UK condemns the actions
of the Syrian regime, driving civilians from their homes in and around Aleppo, and
the role of Russia in supporting this offensive. We are deeply concerned by reports
that over 30,000 civilians have been newly displaced from Aleppo City and other areas
of northern Syria between 1<sup>st</sup> and 8<sup>th</sup> February. This is on top
of the existing 36,000 internally displaced persons from Aleppo City.</p><p>DFID continues
to use existing funding to support our partners to be flexible in their responses
and to enable the realignment of programming to meet those newly displaced and most
in need. We also support the UN OCHA managed, Humanitarian Pooled Fund (HPF), which
has announced a US$10.5 million emergency fund to meet the needs of the new displaced
as a result of the fighting in northern Aleppo. The HPF funding will focus on meeting
key health, WASH, food, shelter and protection needs.</p>
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