Secretary-General launches humanitarian appeals for 2001, calling on international community to provide urgent support to 35 million people

Geneva- New York, 22 November (OCHA) On 28 November, Secretary-General Kofi Annan will launch appeals for 19 humanitarian crises, calling on the international community to provide $2 billion in contributions to sustain the lives of more than 35 million people during the course of 2001. The Global Launch of the Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeals will be held from 11 a.m to 1 p.m at ECOSOC Chamber at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The event, which will be chaired by Ms. Carolyn McAskie, Emergency Relief Coordinator, a.i., will focus on the theme, -Women and War.- Speakers are expected to include Ms. Liv Ullmann, Actress and Producer, and Honorary Chair of the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children; H.E. Harri Holkeri, President of the 55th Session of the General Assembly, Ms. Noleen Heyzer, Executive Director of UNIFEM, and refugee women from Afghanistan and Sierra Leone.
Ms. Sadako Ogata, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, will lead the global launch in Geneva on 29 November (see attached programme). On the same date, the launch will be taken to donor capitals. Events will be spearheaded in London by Ms. McAskie; in Washington, D.C. by Ms. Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF; in Stockholm by Ms. Catherine Bertini, Executive Director of the World Food Programme; and in Rome by Mr. Jacques Diouf, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization. Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Special Representative of the Secretary-General to East Timor, will lead the launch in Brussels; and Mr. Francis Deng, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Internally Displaced People, will hold an event in Oslo. Public events will also take place in a number of recipient countries.

The appeals cover the following countries and regions: Afghanistan, Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Great Lakes Region, Maluku (Indonesia), Northern Caucasus (Russian Federation), Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Southeastern Europe, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda and West Africa.

Civilians continue to suffer the horrifying consequences of conflict and natural disasters. During the current year, millions have been forced to flee their homes and their communities, losing access to health care, clean water, food, and other basic essentials for survival. Many are also facing the additional burden of facing unprecedented drought in their lands. These people look to the international humanitarian community for life-saving and life-sustaining support. They seek assurances that they and their children may have a secure future.

The Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeals aim to address these needs in a coherent and efficient manner. They are the expression of the will of United Nations organizations and their partners to work together in response to complex emergencies. The Appeal documents, which are available in full at www.reliefweb.int, describe the main concerns, priorities and goals of multilateral humanitarian action in each affected country or region, and detail the manner in which to meet them. They also detail the requirements of all appealing agencies and organizations. Donors are requested to contribute generously to the appeals, in order to provide hope to the poorest of the poor.

For further information, please contact: Donato Kiniger-Passigli, OCHA Geneva (9172653 or 079-4770844)