We today appealed to our donors for an additional $65.2 million in an effort to increase our assistance efforts within Syria and in neighbouring countries.

Head of operations for the Near and Middle East Robert Mardini explains that two years after the beginning of the crisis, our teams in Damascus, Homs, Idlib, Aleppo and Deir Ezzor are witnessing a major humanitarian catastrophe, with no solution in sight.

As Mr. Mardini reminds us, needs keep growing - the Syrian economy is crumbling, with access to work, shelter, clean water, food and healthcare now precarious in many parts of the country - yet the level of field presence needed for a proper humanitarian response remains insufficient.

ICRC President Peter Maurer completed his first Washington visit last Thursday after a series of meetings with senior US officials, including President Barack Obama, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and CIA Director John Brennan.

ICRC President Peter Maurer today started a four-day visit here in Washington.

Mr. Maurer's schedule is packed with meetings at the Department of State, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, the CIA and the White House. Mr. Maurer will also meet with members of the US Congress and the leadership of the American Red Cross.

Our President is accompanied by Patricia Danzi, ICRC head of operations for the Americas.

This is Mr. Maurer's first visit to Washington since he became ICRC President in July 2012. Discussions with US officials will be wide-ranging, including files related to US detention and Guantanamo, Afghanistan and other ICRC operational contexts of interest to US officials such as Syria and Mali.