US to provide $115 mln in aid to refugees

The United States has pledged $US115 million in aid to help with the Middle East refugee crisis.

The White House says the US Defense Department will provide $US155 million ($A217.47 million) in humanitarian aid to refugees displaced by the crises in Syria and Iraq.

The Defense Department will not deliver the aid directly to Syria, but will distribute supplies such as electric generators and blankets through the United Nations.