United Nations requires $7.7 bln in next year’s aid fundingDecember 14, 2011 - 21:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United Nations says it needs $7.7 billion in aid funding for 16 countries next year, with the biggest chunk to go towards helping victims in drought-devastated Horn of Africa. Some $1.5 billion in funds are destined for Somalia, where 250,000 people are at risk of imminent death. Kenya, which is also suffering from drought-induced crop failure, poor livestock conditions and rising food prices, would need $764 million in 2012. The UN declared six regions in southern Somalia famine zones earlier this year, and although it said last month that three regions were no longer in the grip of famine, more than half of Somalia's 10 million people remain in dire need of help. The appeal also covers Sudan and the fledgling South Sudan, where fighting has plagued the border regions. Overall, the funds are to help some 51 million people. Other countries or districts included in the appeal include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Yemen, Afghanistan, the Occupied Palestinian territory, Zimbabwe, Haiti, Niger, Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, Djibouti and the Philippines' Mindanao. The total sum sought has fallen from 2011 however, when the UN sought $7.9 billion. According to the UN, this may be due to "an easing of certain crises, and thus fewer people in need." Two cases in point were Chad and Haiti. Coordination has also been improved, with overlaps eliminated, it added. Acknowledging that funding budgets were under strain due to the public debt crisis in the industrialised world, UN aid chief Valerie Amos nevertheless urged member states to make an extra effort to help the world's most vulnerable. "This is a time of pressure on aid budgets," she said. However, countries must "make the extraordinary political effort necessary to raise the resources needed to help people," she stressed, according to AAP. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |