United Nations Radio

The UN refugee chief has appealed to the international community not to forget the needs of vulnerable people in the face of the current financial turmoil.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, António Guterres said that increasing conflicts, accompanied by the deterioration of the global economic situation and natural disasters, are putting more and more people on the move.

Mr. Guterres said that in recent weeks hundreds of billions of dollars have been earmarked to rescue financial systems, something which, he added, probably needs to be done.

"But it would be a disaster if this would undermine the capacity of states and of people around the world to go on providing and increasing humanitarian aid that is absolutely crucial to give an adequate response to challenges of conflict, of increases in poverty and of the impact of climate change."

Mr. Guterres said his appeal is not only for the United Nations refugee agency but the broader humanitarian community.

This is Dianne Penn for United Nations Radio.

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