UN calls for record $22.5b in aid

The United Nations yesterday appealed for a record $22.5 billion (18.9 billion euros) to provide aid in 2018 to soaring numbers of people slammed by conflicts and disasters around the world.

The global appeal by UN agencies and other humanitarian organisations aims to raise funds to help the some 91 million most vulnerable of the nearly 136 million people expected to need aid across 26 countries next year.

The number of people in need of international assistance worldwide has thus risen more than five percent from last year's estimate.

"More people than ever before will need our assistance," UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said in a statement launching the appeal.

Drought, floods and other weather-related catastrophes are expected to continue racking up humanitarian needs.

But Lowcock stressed that "conflict, in particular protracted crises, will continue to be the main driver of need in 2018."

A full $7.66 billion is needed to address the staggering needs created by Syria's brutal conflict alone -- more than a third of the requested amount of funds next year.

War-torn Yemen comes next on the list, with yesterday's appeal urging donors to cough up $2.5 billion to provide desperately needed assistance to the most vulnerable people in the country.