UN relief chief appeals for funds to support 132 million people

Conflict has pushed tens of millions of people into a situation where they are in urgent need of help, the UN relief chief has said, in an appeal for funds that could top USD 25 billion to support life-saving aid projects in over 40 countries next year.

Speaking at the launch of a major annual analysis of global humanitarian needs, Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock said that a total of 132 million people will need assistance next year.

Of that number, the UN and its partner organisations aim to support 93.6 million. While conflict is the main cause, climate-related risks such as drought and tropical storms are also significant contributors to the number of people in crisis.

"Something like one person in 70 around the world is caught up in crisis and urgently needs humanitarian help or protection," Lowcock said.

"We have a larger number of people displaced, mostly by conflict than we have seen in the world before, nearly 70 million."