Conflicts, climate crisis, hunger
Huge hole in UN coffers for humanitarian aid
A mother in Mogadishu, Somalia, who fled the drought-stricken Lower Shabelle region, with her malnourished daughter. photo
© Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP/dpa
$17.6 billion hit the bank accounts — the most in a year, but the gap is bigger than ever. The UN organizations still lack more, several billion.
Despite record donations from governments this year, humanitarian aid is far from sufficient. For the period up to the end of December, the UN organizations still need an amount of 32 billion dollars (32 billion euros) to deal with the increased need worldwide, as reported by the UN Emergency Relief Office (OCHA) in Geneva.
17.6 billion dollars went into the bank accounts – more than ever before in one year, but the gap is also bigger than ever. Conflicts, climate crises, hunger and displacement contribute to the catastrophic situation. 204 million of the most vulnerable people need help.
For some countries and regions, less than 20 percent of the amount needed to provide people with food, shelter or medical assistance has been received, the OCHA spokesman said. These include Myanmar, El Salvador and Mozambique. The best budgets for Libya, Somalia and the Central African Republic are covered, between 69 and 79 percent.
The Emergency Relief Bureau again released $100 million from its emergency reserve for underfunded crises. This brings the total amount released from the fund to $250 million, the most in a year. The money is to be used, among other things, for aid in Yemen, South Sudan, Myanmar, Nigeria and Bangladesh.