UN seeks record $22.5 billion to help 91 million in need
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The United Nations launched a record appeal Friday for $22.5 billion to help 91 million of the 136 million people across the world in need of humanitarian aid as a result of conflicts, natural disasters, epidemics and displacement.
UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said the 136 million people in need is about 5 percent higher than the projection at this time last year—and the 2018 appeal to help the 91 million most vulnerable is up from the $22.2 billion appeal for 2017.
He told the launch of the appeal in Geneva that the big drivers of need will remain conflict and violence "which forces people to flee from their homes, deny some access to adequate food, and robs them of their livelihood."
Lowcock said the largest crisis in the world at the moment is in conflict-wracked Yemen, where 20 million of the country's 25 million people need aid and 7-8 million are on the brink of famine.
He again urged the Saudi-led coalition to fully lift the air, sea and land blockade on Yemen that it imposed after a missile attack on the Saudi capital of Riyadh on Nov. 6 so life-saving aid and fuel can be delivered. The blockade was partially lifted last weekend.
