Addressing Global Humanitarian Needs Requires $20Bln – UNOCHA

World humanitarian organizations need about $20 billion to provide at least the minimum necessary assistance to victims of disasters, refugees and internally displaced individuals, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) for Caucasus, Central Asia and Ukraine said Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The number of migrants in the world today is estimated at 60 million, and the total number of people affected by war and natural disasters stands at 100 million, Marcel Vaessen told reporters. In 2004, it took about $3 billion to cover the most pressing humanitarian needs, according to Vaessen.

"Since then, the figure rose by 430 percent and at the moment close to $20 billion is required, and the figure is growing," the UNOCHA regional head said.

The sum would only cover the most urgent humanitarian needs, such as providing food, primary medical assistance and shelter.

According to Vaessen, humanitarian organizations alone are no longer able to provide assistance on such a scale, so the United Nations is working to involve partners around the world, including in the private sector.