World Bank Make Plans To Give Financial Aid To Syria's neighbours

The World Bank is trying to put together a package of financial assistance for countries hosting refugees from Syria.

Bank officials say there is a substantial financial burden being borne by Lebanon and Jordan.
They are discussing help from rich countries and from Gulf nations.
They say the idea has been well received by potential contributors and hope to have the first funds paid out in four to six months.

The arrangement under discussion is one in which the Bank would make loans to Jordan and Lebanon, with aid donors covering at least some of the interest costs.
Millions of refugees are now in countries bordering Syria. The largest number are in Turkey, but it is the much smaller economies of Lebanon and Jordan that face far greater financial strain.