Nirj Deva MEP, European Conservatives and Reformists spokesman on international development in the European Parliament, today warmly welcomed a promise of €100m extra for humanitarian aid in war-torn Syria.

Nirj Deva MEP, European Conservatives and Reformists spokesman on international development in the European Parliament, today warmly welcomed a promise of €100m extra for humanitarian aid in war-torn Syria.

Mr Deva is a longstanding advocate of effective aid programmes in regions ravaged by war, civil violence, drought and famine.

The extra aid from the European Union comes in addition to €100m granted to Syria in 2011-12 and will be formally pledged tomorrow (January 30) at the conference on Syria called by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Mr Deva, who authored a key report for the parliament on the role of development funds in rebuilding conflict-riven nations, said: “This aid is timely, politically wise and morally undeniable.

“On the ground in Syria it will mean the difference between life and death for many, especially in refugee camps, and in the long term it can help deliver stability and democracy.

“Syria needs our urgent help to feed its children, heal its wounded, treat its sick, mend its society and ultimately to establish a new politics.”