Approximately 9.8 million people in Syria need assistance to prevent food insecurity as the conflict continues in the country, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The agency on Tuesday presented an appeal for US$121 million at the Third International Pledging Conference on Syria, which took place in Kuwait City.

FAO says the assistance is urgently needed to strengthen agricultural production in communities across Syria as well as in neighbouring countries.

Abdessalam Ould Ahmed is the Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for FAO, based at the Regional Office for the Near East in Cairo.

He spoke with Sandra Ferrari about the crisis in Syria and the region, and how FAO plans to help the people in need.

Duration: 2’35”