SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES MORE HUMANITARIAN FUNDING IN 2011

(Geneva/New York, 25 January 2011): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for greater worldwide funding for humanitarian action in 2011.

"Collectively, we all need to make extra efforts to secure sufficient and predictable funding for urgent, life-saving humanitarian work. We should not leave the resourcing of humanitarian action to chance," the Secretary-General said. He noted that humanitarian aid depends on voluntary contributions from both Member States and private donors.

"Humanitarian needs are growing. The international humanitarian system helps governments to help their own people. More people are relying on us for life-saving and life-sustaining support. More support is needed than ever before," he said.

The 2011 Humanitarian Appeal, launched in November 2010, seeks US$7.4 billion to help 50 million people in 28 countries worldwide throughout 2011. It is the biggest annual humanitarian appeal ever launched since the creation of the Consolidated Appeal Process in 1991. It comprises humanitarian action plans for the West Africa region and 13 countries: Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Haiti, Kenya, Niger, the occupied Palestinian territory, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.

The Secretary-General discussed the international response to the large-scale disasters in Haiti and Pakistan last year. "I visited both of these disaster zones and saw the difference that support was making in people's lives. But we know that not all emergencies receive the same attention or resources. Many appeals have had very low levels of funding. We need to reverse that trend in 2011," he said.

"Some countries have enjoyed spectacular growth and now rank among the world's largest economies. Humanitarian giving has also expanded. Many more Member States contribute to Consolidated Appeals now than ten years ago. This is encouraging, and this trend must continue," he said.

"In 2011, tens of millions of people will need help to survive. Conflicts and natural disasters will cut them off from their homes and their livelihoods, and from access to essentials like drinking water and health care. Many are the most vulnerable people in the world, suffering from malnutrition, disease, or violence," said Ms. Valerie Amos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. "This Appeal is asking for the resources needed to respond quickly."

The United Nations Secretary-General presided over the Humanitarian Funding Conference this afternoon. The podium speeches featured remarks by Under-Secretary-General Amos, the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation, Ms. Gunilla Carlsson, and the Chief Executive Officer of Muslim Aid, Mr. Syed Sharfuddin.

For further information, please call: OCHA-New York: Stephanie Bunker, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 347 244 2106, bunker@un.org; Nicholas Reader, +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org, OCHA-Geneva: Elisabeth Byrs, +41 22 917 2653, mobile +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org

OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int

For more information about CERF, please see http://cerf.un.org