UNICEF Appeals for $1.28 Billion to Help 97 Million People

This year, UNICEF launched an appeal for $1.28 billion (947 million euros) with a third of cash needed to feed children in the drought-stricken area of Africa, says agency.

The UN children's fund said it was seeking nine percent less than in 2011, linked to lower needs in Pakistan and Haiti, but that its needs for fighting hunger had jumped by nearly 50 percent.

The East Africa and Southern Africa regions show the largest increase in funding needs, mainly due to the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa. 

In 2012 UNICEF expects to help about 97 million people in 25 countries and territories, it said.

"The list of countries includes many long standing or so-called 'silent' emergencies, but the crisis in Somalia and in other countries in the Horn of Africa accounts for nearly one-third of the total amount," a UNICEF report said.

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