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Lebanon to receive $75.5M in US aid to Syrian refugees

US Secretary of State John Kerry meets with refugees fleeing Syria, at Villa Borsig, on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in Berlin. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool)

(WASHINGTON, DC) — The United States Department of State announced on Monday that Lebanon will receive $75.5 million in U.S. humanitarian aid to fund Syrian refugee programs and makeshift camps in the country.

The U.S. acknowledged that Lebanon hosts the highest number of refugees per capita with over one million Syrian refugees, and 45,000 Palestinian refugees from Syria.

According to the report, the additional U.S. support will also fund “vulnerable Lebanese communities” by renovating the municipal water and sanitation systems, and supporting local schools.

“With the additional funding, the UN and international organization partners in Lebanon can continue to deliver shelter assistance, education, healthcare, cash assistance for emergency needs, and basic relief items like blankets, heaters, and hygiene kits,” the report said.

A portion of funding will also be distributed to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East program, the report added.

Lebanon has received $965 million in U.S. humanitarian aid since 2012, according to the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.

The White House announced on Monday that the United States is providing nearly $419 million in additional life-saving assistance for those affected by the war in Syria.

This new funding brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance in response to this conflict to more than $1.6 billion in Fiscal Year 2015 and over $4.5 billion since the start of the crisis.

“The United States remains committed to assisting those affected by this terrible war and strongly urges all governments, organizations, and individuals concerned about the situation to support life-saving aid efforts of UN and other partners,” the report said.

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