UNICEF Humanitarian Action Report 2009 - Mid-Year Review

The first half of 2009 has witnessed improvements in several long-standing humanitarian crises such as the gradual transition from crisis to recovery in Uganda and the efforts to restore normalcy after five years of political instability in Co^te d’Ivoire, while also seeing a dramatic increase in the scope of humanitarian needs in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka to name a few. As UNICEF reviews its Humanitarian Action Report at mid-year, millions of children and women continue to be affected by ongoing conflicts, protracted displacement and disasters associated with natural hazards such as earthquakes, droughts, floods, cyclones and hurricanes. Underlying vulnerabilities have been further exacerbated by a combination of global challenges related to high food and fuel prices, financial and economic crises, and the increasingly evident impacts of climate change. At the beginning of 2009, UNICEF called for just over US$1 billion to address the effects of acute or protracted crises in 36 countries in six regions. This overall requirement, at the time of the mid-year review, has increased by 15 per cent up to 1.15 billion. Out of this revised requirement only 24 per cent have been received to support our response with partners in the critical areas of health and nutrition, child protection, education, HIV/AIDS and water, sanitation and hygiene. An additional US$ 849 million will be required to meet critical needs in the next six months.