The United Nations is seeking more than $8.4 billion for next year to help nearly 18 million people affected by the war in Syria.

The UN high commissioner for refugees, Antonio Guterres, said Thursday, Dec 18, that people who have been displaced within Syria "have exhausted their savings and resources" while nearby countries faced with a refugee influx "are at breaking point."

Some $2.9 billion of next year's requested funding is aimed at addressing needs inside Syria, giving aid and shelter to 12.2 million people.

The UN wants $5.5 billion to help refugees outside Syria and bolster host countries. The aim is to help nearly 6 million people in total and it's working on projections that there will be up to 4.27 million refugees in countries neighboring Syria in a year's time.