A major Islamic organization says it will raise $70 million for humanitarian relief in Syria, estimating that some 1 million people there are in need of aid, The Associated Press reported..

The Jiddah-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation - comprised of 57 Muslim majority nations, including Syria - says the aid will include food and medical supplies.

OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said Saturday, April 7, some of the help will go to Syrian farmers and those displaced by violence. OIC representatives visited Syria last month.

The government shelling and offensives against rebel-held towns killed at least 53 civilians across the country on Saturday, activists said.