Humanitarian chief urges world leaders to keep aid relief a top priority
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Valerie Amos
As the annual debate of the UN General Assembly opens in New York, the UN emergency relief coordinator is hoping humanitarian concerns will remain in the spotlight.
Valerie Amos told UN Television that so far this year, aid organizations have asked for nearly $9 billion but only half that mount has been received.
“It’s a very sober year for the General Assembly. I think we have a lot to talk about. I hope the world leaders would stay focused, not just on the political and security agenda, but also on the humanitarian agenda.” (Duration: 13″)
Ms. Amos said the situation in Syria and food insecurity in the Sahel region of West Africa are among the concerns.
Meanwhile, the latest report from the World Food Programme (WFP) finds humanitarian needs in Syria are increasing. WFP is scaling up its operations to reach approximately 1.5 million people there this month.
