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Leaders seek funds for Syria, elusive stability for region

US Secretary of State John Kerry alights from his plane at London's Stansted Airport Thursday Feb. 3, 2016, ahead of Friday's donor conference in London. The donor conference is looking for pledges from developed nations to raise about dlrs 9 billion US (8.3 billion euros) in aid for the millions of Syrians hit by the country's civil war and a refugee crisis spanning Europe and the Middle East. (Nicholas Kamm / Pool via AP)
US Secretary of State John Kerry alights from his plane at London's Stansted Airport Thursday Feb. 3, 2016, ahead of Friday's donor conference in London. The donor conference is looking for pledges from developed nations to raise about dlrs 9 billion US (8.3 billion euros) in aid for the millions of Syrians hit by the country's civil war and a refugee crisis spanning Europe and the Middle East. (Nicholas Kamm / Pool via AP) US Secretary of State John Kerry alights from his plane at London's Stansted Airport Thursday Feb. 3, 2016, ahead of Friday's donor conference in London. The donor conference is looking for pledges from developed nations to raise about dlrs 9 billion US (8.3 billion euros) in aid for the millions of Syrians hit by the country's civil war and a refugee crisis spanning Europe and the Middle East. (Nicholas Kamm / Pool via AP)

By Associated Press 1 min read

LONDON (AP) – Leaders and diplomats from 70 countries are meeting in London to pledge billions to help millions of Syrians displaced by war – and try to slow the chaotic exodus of refugees to Europe.

Thursday’s conference aims to agree plans for economic and educational projects to assist 4.6 million Syrians who have sought refuge in Jordan, Lebanon and other neighboring countries.

The U.N. and regional countries say they need $9 billion in assistance for 2016.

Conference co-host Britain has pledged 1.2 billion pounds ($1.75 billion) in new aid by 2020, and Secretary of State John Kerry is due to announce a big U.S. commitment later.

Organizers believe finding jobs and schools for refugees in the Middle East can help increase regional stability and keep displaced Syrians from fleeing to Europe.