President Muhammadu Buhari watched on Thursday from a conference in London as world leaders pledged $10 billion to help millions of victims of Syria’s civil war, even as 2.3 million displaced Nigerians, hundreds of thousands of Cameroonians, Chadians and Nigeriens continue desperately to wait for the same help and assistance in the Lake Chad Basin where Boko Haram has wreaked havoc since 2009.

Leaders attending an international donors’ conference in London committed almost $6 billion in aid for 2016, with the rest of the money to be handed over by 2020.

The one-day meeting was aimed at gathering donations and agreeing on plans for economic and educational projects to help the 4.6 million Syrians who have sought refuge in neighboring countries including Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

President Buhari, who spoke at the conference, called on the global community to give greater support  to countries suffering from humanitarian crises caused by terrorism and civil strife.

Buhari condemned the continuing violence by terrorists against innocent civilians, abuse of human rights and destruction of public and private assets and cultural heritages in Nigeria, Syria and other countries of the world.

He told the gathering that having experienced civil war and terrorist insurgency, Nigeria understands the pains inflicted on the people of Syria and the hardship that innocent civilians suffer in the hands of misguided elements.

Buhari called on all parties involved in the Syrian conflict to seek a peaceful resolution, saying that only a political solution could bring the ongoing tragedy in the country to an end.

“We all stand in solidarity with them. Despite the magnitude of our own challenges and the increasing stress on our economy, I reaffirm our Government’s commitment to support and assist the war-affected people of Syria,” Buhari said.

Participants in the conference included the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway and the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as well as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

Others were the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Peter Maurer, the President of the World Bank, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, Helen Clark and the High Representative of the European Union, Federica Mogherini.