Donors meeting in Kuwait have pledged nearly $US1.3 billion ($A1.45 billion) in humanitarian aid for victims of the Syrian war.
The meeting comes just a week before the so-called 'Geneva II' peace meeting aimed at finding a political solution to the 34-month conflict that has claimed 130,000 lives.
Delegates from nearly 70 nations and 24 international organisations gathered for the one-day event chaired by UN chief Ban Ki-moon.
The meeting had gathered some $US1.3 billion by midday as the UN sought to raise an unprecedented $US6.5 billion.
"Half of the total population of Syrian people, nearly 9.3 million individuals urgently need humanitarian aid," Ban told participants, pointing out that more than three million people have fled.
"I am especially concerned about reports of starvation," in Syria, he said.
The host country led the donations with a pledge for $US500 million announced by the emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah at the opening of the conference.
US State Secretary John Kerry announced a supplementary aid package of $US380 million, bringing the total US humanitarian aid to Syria to $US1.7 billion.
"I am proud that the United States is the leading donor of humanitarian aid," Kerry told the conference, pointing out that "Syria's civil war is not simply Syria's problems".
Oil-rich Saudi Arabia said it will give $US60 million in supplementary aid, so did neighbouring energy-rich Qatar, both of which are strong backers of the rebellion against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
Britain pledged $US164 million, Norway $US75 million, Denmark $US36.5 million and Iraq announced an aid package of $US13 million.
The European Union offered on Tuesday an extra $US225 million of aid, according to EU Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva, raising the union's total contributions $US2.74 billion.
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