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Annan launches $ 2.5 billion humanitarian appeal

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed today for US $2.5 billion to help 33 million victims of conflict and natural disasters in desperate need of humanitarian assistance and protection. "Today, the world's eyes are on Afghanistan and the plight of its long-suffering people," Annan told donors gathered at UN headquarters in New York for the launch of the 2002 Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeals. "But just three months ago, before the terrorist attacks of 11 September, the people of Afghanistan faced a humanitarian disaster of mass proportions, caused by continuing civil strife and yet another year of drought." "Is it not ironic that it took a terrorist attack and military reaction to raise awareness of the vast humanitarian needs in Afghanistan?" Annan asked. While welcoming donor efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people, Annan urged those present not to forget the 17 other complex humanitarian crises identified in the UN appeals. "The 33 million people worldwide, to whom I lend my voice today…are women, children and men who have been forced to flee their homes and their communities, and who have lost almost everything but the hope that somewhere, somehow, they will find a helping hand to rebuild their lives and livelihoods," he said. The theme of the 2002 Consolidated Appeals is "Reaching the vulnerable," highlighting the need for access to civilians trapped by armed conflict, and for improved security for relief personnel. In a statement delivered at the launch Ambassador Patricia Durrant of Jamaica, the current President of the Security Council, said that the Council had spent many hours discussing the vulnerability of civilians in today's wars but stressed that there was a need to translate "good words into good deeds." "Governments should live up to their commitments, armed groups should respect the recognised rules of international humanitarian law, the private sector should be conscious of its impact in crisis areas," Durrant said, the first time that a Security Council President had attended the launch of the UN's humanitarian appeals. "Jointly, we must ensure that our efforts bring relief and protection to the many millions suffering from war and natural disasters." Annan said that humanitarian assistance is impartial and seeks only to help people in need. "Attacks against convoys and humanitarian workers must stop. Member States and warring parties must be held accountable when relief workers are killed." Annan noted that the Consolidated Appeals Process served to improve the quality and accountability of humanitarian programmes to reach people in the greatest need. By coordinating their efforts through the Appeals, UN agencies and other partners ensured that food was not provided without safe water to prepare it, and that other necessities for survival, including vaccinations against killer diseases, were not forgotten. It also helped to ensure that "meeting urgent needs today does not compromise the capacity of a community to help itself when the immediate crisis has passed." "No matter how good our strategy, or how well we prioritise, the United Nations and its partners cannot fulfil their commitments to millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance without the financial and political support of the Member States," Annan told donors, noting that the 2001 appeal was met with only 50 per cent of the required amount. "We must do better next year, and I repeat my appeal that we should forget no one who depends on us for help and for hope."

This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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