<\/p>\n
RT<\/a><\/strong> The US has announced that it will provide an additional $100 million in humanitarian aid for Syria, which will bring the total provided aid to $510 million.<\/p>\n US Secretary of State John F. Kerry announced the new aid during his visit to Rome on Thursday, detailing that the funds will be used to support 1.4 million Syrian refugees that have been displaced during the civil war.<\/p>\n Much of the aid will be given to countries that are now home to refugee camps, including Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Jordan will receive $43 million to support the country\u2019s United Nations humanitarian programs.<\/p>\n While meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeth in Rome, Kerry detailed that Jordan\u2019s fourth-largest city is a \u2018tent city\u2019 made up of Syrian refugees.<\/p>\n \u201cJordan feels the impact of what is happening more than any other country,\u201d<\/em> Kerry said. There are about 525,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan, which now make up 10 percent of the country\u2019s population, the foreign minister added, explaining that the numbers are expected to rise to make up 20 to 25 percent of the country\u2019s population by the end of 2013.<\/p>\n \u201cNo country can cope with the numbers that are as huge as I described,\u201d<\/em> he said. \u00a0Jordan is currently building a new refugee camp at Azraq, and the aid money will be used to provide food, shelter and health programs.<\/p>\n About $32 million in humanitarian aid will also be given to Lebanon, and about $9.5 will go to programs in Turkey. The remaining $16 million will be used to provide Syrians in their own country with basic necessities, including blankets, clothing, healthcare, cash assistance, and hygiene kits, the Associated Press reports, based on interviews with unnamed officials.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Obama administration has long maintained its opposition to direct involvement in the Syrian conflict, but has become the number one provider of humanitarian aid in Syria. While Kerry\u2019s announcement focused on this type of assistance, rather than direct intervention, the Obama administration is allegedly considering<\/a> providing weapons to the Syrian rebels.<\/p>\n This week, Sen. Robert Menendez introduced<\/a> a bill to directly arm Syrian rebels, writing that \u201cthe Assad regime has crossed a red line that forces us to consider all options.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Earlier this week, Kerry met for more than five <\/p>\n
May 10, 2013<\/p>\n\n