The United Nations (UN) has launched its annual global aid appeal, but this year, the organisation has sharply reduced the amount it believes it can realistically raise.

UN Humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher says that, at a time when many governments are openly cutting aid budgets, the UN has been forced to make tough decisions about what it can prioritise.

Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York, Fletcher criticised what he described as growing global indifference to humanitarian crises. He noted that the entire UN appeal represents barely one percent of what the world spends on weapons.

In an audio brief, Fletcher added: “What do we need in order to save 87 million lives next year? We need protection for our work, we need active peacemaking, and we need $23 billion.”

–ChannelAfrica–