U.N. officials said that higher food and fuel costs, along with natural disasters and worsening conflicts, are making it more difficult to raise funds from donor nations, mostly Western governments.

“The donors will need to dig deep into their pockets to try to find that money,” said John Holmes, the U.N.’s humanitarian chief.

So far this year, US$2.9 billion has been raised, representing about 46 percent of what’s needed to respond to the world’s most severe crises, Holmes said.

But new donors are needed to step forward, he said, both among governments and the private sector, beyond the mainstays, the United States and the European Union.

“Rapid action by donors is more essential this year than ever,” Holmes said. “Higher food and fuel costs, an increasing number of food-insecure people, and the impact of climate change have already forced the upwards revision of several appeals.”

He said the main focus is on Sudan’s troubled Darfur region, where nearly US$2 billion is needed to help 2.5 million people driven from their homes.

Also high on the U.N.’s list is the conflict ridden Democratic Republic of Congo, which requires US$736 million this year.

—Myanmar, hit by Cyclone Nargis in May, which will need US$481 million.

—West Africa, grappling with political instability and recurring natural disaster, requiring US$416 million.

—Zimbabwe, with its election-related violence, shortage of rainfall and harvest losses, needing US$394 million.

Subscribe to The China Post and save.  Click hereSharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Enter your comments - 800 characters max

Receive China Post promos

Respond to this email