But the plan also presents a dire scenario if donor nations reduce aid to humanitarian crises worldwide, like famine in Yemen and Syria’s worsening civil war. The new appeal comes on the heels of the U.N.’s record-high $18 billion raised for humanitarian crises in 2019. Mr. Lowcock acknowledged the financial strain that the coronavirus appeal would impose on donor nations, but also said it was vital to keep the disease at bay. The World Health Organization, another U.N. agency, has received about $195 million so far from donor nations and $69 million in pledged funding. But the U.N.’s overall response to the pandemic so far has been seen as relatively meager and disjointed.

Source: International New York Times March 25, 2020 03:56 UTC