UN: Syria needs $10bn in aid to combat impact of war and coronavirus

Economy faltering with half the population out of work and 80% living below poverty line

Syria needs $10bn (8.14bn) in aid to avoid falling into an even deeper crisis as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and economic deterioration after more than nine years of war, agencies have said.

Around 60 countries, the European Union and UN agencies took part in an online fundraising conference on Tuesday, during which the UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, Mark Lowcock, said the funds were needed to stave off further catastrophe and assist refugees now living elsewhere.