UN Still Waiting For $1.5 Billion Pledged For Syrian Refugees

AMMAN, Jordan -- The U.N. refugee agency says it has not yet received the funds recently pledged for Syrian refugees and is struggling to help rising numbers fleeing the country's nearly 2-year-old civil war.

Andrew Harper, the agency's representative to Jordan, told The Associated Press on Sunday that the $1.5 billion pledged last month at an international donor conference in Kuwait "has not come through."

He says the lack of funds is making it very difficult to provide shelter, food, clothing and blankets to thousands of Syrians who daily cross into Jordan.

Jordan says it hosts more than 368,000 of the 787,000 Syrians displaced in the region.

Speaking by telephone from Geneva, Harper says U.N. agencies in Jordan are spending $1 million a day to help the refugees.

See ways below to help those fleeing to refugee camps in neighboring countries:

UNICEFUNICEF is collecting funds dedicated to the immediate needs of displaced Syrian children. As winter sets in, the organization is focused on addressing the challenges a colder climate brings to some of the conflicts most vulnerable victims. Learn more here.

UNHCRThe UN refugee agency is leading the Syrian refugee response. The organization has camps in Jordan and continues to offer humanitarian assistance in neighboring Lebanon and Iraq. With thousands fleeing Syria every day, the organization is working to keep up. Learn more here.

Mercy CorpsMercy Corps has been working in Syria since 2008. Now with the escalating humanitarian crisis, the organization is responding to the needs of refugees in Lebanon and Jordan refugee camps -- increasing access to clean water and providing psychological support for children. Learn more here.

International Red CrossThe ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent are working together to feed the millions of Syrian refugees, provide medical care to those in need and war-surgery training to doctors treating casualties in neighboring Lebanon. Learn more here.

Save The ChildrenIn response to the humanitarian crisis and plummeting temperature, Save The Children is providing children with warm blankets, shoes, clothes and winter-aid packages for infants. Learn more here.

War ChildWar Child, a UK-based charity dedicated to helping children affected by conflict, has been working in Lebanon creating six ‘safe spaces’ in schools to provide art and music therapy for affected children and has helped 400 youngsters enroll in school. Learn more here.