Geneva — The UN needs a record $22.2bn to cover humanitarian relief projects next year, covering the needs of 93-million people in 33 countries, UN humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien says. "This is a reflection of a state of humanitarian need in the world not witnessed since the Second World War," he told a news conference, adding that 80% of the needs stemmed from wars, such as those in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Nigeria and South Sudan. The work of humanitarians "is more necessary and courageous than ever", he said in Monday’s report. "More people have humanitarian needs, not least because of protracted crises lasting longer and longer." The global appeal by UN agencies and other humanitarian organisations aims to gather funds to help the 92.8-million most vulnerable of the nearly 129-million people expected to require assistance across the 33 countries next year. The numbers are staggering, especially when considering that three war-ravaged countries — Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan — alo...
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