10/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - Stylianides calls for humanitarian effort to be increased. With the point of 4 million Syrian refugees having been crossed on Thursday 9 July, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides has called on the international community to increase its humanitarian aid. “2 million of the refugees are children. They have lost almost everything. Some 5,000 schools have been destroyed, occupied or targeted in the conflict, in gross violation of international humanitarian law. With 2.4 million children out of school, it puts an entire generation at risk, destroying young people's hopes for the future. We have a collective responsibility to prevent this from happening”, he said. Paying tribute to the generosity of the neighbouring countries, Stylianides gave them assurances that the EU would continue its support. The EU has thus far provided over €3.7 billion in humanitarian aid to Syria and the region. Stylianides called on the international community of donors to deliver their pledges and increase their aid - which is needed “more than ever”. (AN)