As pandemic surges, UN seeks billions more to offer humanitarian aid

At the beginning of the year, humanitarian agencies targeted around 110 million people, he said. They now need to reach 250 million in 63 countries

The United Nations is increasing to $10.3 billion its appeal for humanitarian aid funding to handle the fallout from the coronavirus crisis around the world.

Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said in Geneva on Friday that the number of people in the world who need humanitarian assistance has more than doubled because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the effects of the global lockdown of economies and societies.

At the beginning of the year, humanitarian agencies targeted around 110 million people, he said. They now need to reach 250 million in 63