The U.K. plans to give $160.1 million more in aid to Syria, marking its biggest response to any humanitarian crisis ever, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The addition in aid was announced on Wednesday by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
"Millions of people find themselves in an absolutely appalling humanitarian situation, through no fault of their own," Clegg said. "The U.K. has been leading the charge to alleviate suffering through the Syria UN appeals."
"But there's a huge gap in what's needed. I've been pushing other countries at the UN General Assembly to help meet the shortfall," he said.
Although British Prime Minister David Cameron was advocating military intervention in Syria following reports of chemical weapons, the option was ruled out after the U.K. parliament voted against it. Since the vote, England has shifted their focus on providing humanitarian aid to those still living in the war-torn country in addition to refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Iraq.
International Development Secretary Justine Greening said the U.K. boosted their aid to Syria "reflects the scale, despair and brutality of what's going on".
According to the British government, the extra aid would be enough to feed 87,000 people, give 265,000 access to clean water, and provide 80,000 medical consultations to people in Syria and the neighboring countries.
They also estimate the Syrian civil war has resulted in over 100,00 deaths and caused 2 million people to flee to other countries. Additionally, another 4 million have been displaced within the borders of Syria.
Oxfam International's chief executive Mark Goldring praised the funding and said it will make "a real difference in getting basics such as food, water and medicine to many vulnerable Syrians".
"The UK government is showing international leadership on supporting the UN appeal which is still less than half-funded. The UK government has acted, now other countries must follow," Goldring said.
