International donors pledge US$6 billion in Syria aid

In this picture taken Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, a car drives through a devastated part of the old city of Homs, Syria. (Hassan Ammar / AP)

BRUSSELS -- A senior European Union official says international donors have pledged $6 billion to help conflict-torn Syria this year, a figure in line with their target.

EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Christos Stylianides said donors from more than 70 countries meeting in Brussels on Wednesday had made a "collective pledge of $6 billion for this year alone."

Stylianides says Syria's "needs are massive. Our conference is sending a powerful message. We are not letting down the people of Syria."

He described the pledge made at the conference as "an impressive figure. These commitments are significant."