The United Nations has appealed for $7.1 billion to provide urgent humanitarian aid to 48 million people in 25 countries in 2010.
The 2010 Humanitarian Appeal is the largest ever since the creation of the Consolidated Appeal Process in 1991.
The appeal covers 12 of the world's most severe, prolonged crises -- Afghanistan, the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, the Palestinian territory, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen and Zimbabwe.
"On behalf of 48 million people in 25 countries needing urgent help, I appeal for 7.1 billion US dollars to be provided without delay and as a common sense investment in global stability and well being," UN Chief Ban Ki-moon said in the foreword to the 2010 Consolidated Humanitarian Appeal.
"Our aim is to help people survive the coming year, and start working their way out of vulnerability towards the dignity, safety and self-sufficiency to which every human being has a right," he said.
The Secretary-General said that the needs of 2010 will be "at least as great" as the world copes with climate-related disasters and prolonged conflicts.
"The global recession has raised inevitable concerns that humanitarian funding may decline in 2010. I urge member states and private donors to keep that from happening," he said.
Launching the appeal, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, John Holmes, said that $7.1 billion is "far less than one per cent of the amount spent on financial bailouts and economic stimulus" by governments in response to the global economic crisis.
The largest amount of one billion dollar is going to Sudan, while $871 million is sought to assist around seven million Afghans suffering the effects of continuing conflicts including food insecurity, and $828 million is needed to address humanitarian needs in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The next in line is Somalia that needs $689 million where about half the population is dependent on humanitarian aid.
A request for $664 million is being made for meeting humanitarian challenges in the Palestinian territory.
Ban noted that countries should not be thought of as "donors" and "recipients" stating that the international humanitarian system, and even the most powerful countries sometimes need specialised help from friends and neighbours.
"The international humanitarian system is designed to help governments help their own people. It is a sign of responsibility to call for such help when needed, and to accept it when offered," he said.
