REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, ABU DHABI -- An Emirati campaign to raise funds for Syrian refugees faced with harsh winter conditions in camps in neighbouring states has raised almost $28 million, the Red Crescent announced Saturday.

Red Crescent chief Mohammed Atiq, quoted by state news agency WAM, said a Friday-Saturday telethon organised by local television collected 102 million dirhams ($27.8 million).

The United Nations on Monday appealed for a record $12.9 billion in global emergency aid, half of which is for victims of Syria's war, which has displaced millions both within the country and across its borders.

The oil-rich UAE, like its Gulf neighbours, has come out in support of the opposition battling to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

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