MORE than $4 billion (£3.17 bn) in life-saving aid is needed for more than 10 million Syrians facing a largely forgotten crisis, the United Nations warned today.

UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs Syria co-ordinator Adam Abdelmoula said that the situation in the country remains “one of the most deadly to civilians in the world.”

He made the appeal days after Syria marked the 13th anniversary of a war that has killed nearly a half million people and left large parts of the country destroyed.

“Today, we are facing an unprecedented situation in Syria — one that we cannot afford to ignore,” Mr Abdelmoula said.

“Inaction will be costly for all of us and will inevitably lead to additional suffering.”

About 16.7 million people require some form of humanitarian assistance in Syria, an increase from 15.3 million last year, he said.

Over seven million people are internally displaced and nearly as many are refugees in other countries, including neighbouring Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

Mr Abdelmoula said that the UN is seeking the funding to provide life-saving aid to 10.8 million Syrians.

The war has left 90 per cent of Syria’s population below the poverty line as millions face cuts in food aid because of a funding shortfall.

The UN World Food Programme ended its main assistance programme in the country in January.

“The Syria crisis remains one of the most deadly to civilians in the world,” Mr Abdelmoula said.

“Hostilities continue to plague various parts of Syria and have recently seen a sharp spike, especially in the north.”

He suggested that Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza had given cover for more military activity in parts of Syria and that aid to Syria is being affected by other conflicts in the world.