The United Nations has launched its largest-ever funding appeal for a single crisis, requesting $6.5 billion in funds for the people of Syria. The U.N. estimates nearly three-quarters of Syria’s population will need humanitarian aid next year. Speaking in Geneva, U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos said the agency is seeking $12.9 billion in overall humanitarian aid.

Valerie Amos: “The plans total 12.9 billion to reach everyone we hope to help in 2014. This is the largest amount we have ever had to request at the start of the year. Six-point-five billion of this will support our efforts in Syria and in neighboring countries. And again, this is the largest-ever appeal for a single crisis. Even if there were an end to the violence in Syria tomorrow, we would still have a major humanitarian crisis on our hands.”

The United Nations’ latest request surpasses its call in June for more than $4 billion in aid to Syria, only 60 percent of which has actually been funded so far.