“The United States announced an extra $30 million in aid to those affected by the war in Syria on Wednesday and called the formation of a new opposition coalition an important step that would help Washington better target its help,” Reuters reports. “U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the announcement after talks in Perth involving her Australian counterpart Bob Carr and U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and his Australian counterpart, Stephen Smith,” the news service adds (Brunnstrom, 11/14).

“With this new assistance, the United States will be providing nearly $200 million in humanitarian aid to succor those suffering as a result of the violence inside Syria and in neighboring countries, the State Department said in a press release,” RTT News writes, noting “the funding will allow for immediate procurement of food in local and regional markets to provide family food baskets to those in need, which contain vital necessities such as rice, beans, and cooking oil. In neighboring countries, this additional U.S. assistance will provide food supplies, hot meals, and food vouchers for families who have fled the violence in Syria” (11/15).