UN migration agency appeals for 1.4 billion USD to help over 80 million people

GENEVA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The UN migration agency IOM said Friday it is appealing for nearly 1.4 billion U.S. dollars to address the needs of over 80 million people in 50 countries in 2018.

IOM spokesperson Olivia Headon said at a UN briefing that these vital funds will support people displaced within the borders of their own countries, migrants, refugees and the communities that host them.

They will also assist people returning to their areas of origin and people recovering from conflict and natural disasters.

Headon cited IOM's director of Operations and Emergencies in Geneva, Mohammed Abdiker as saying, "The world is experiencing more complex emergencies than ever before, with millions of men, women and children struggling to survive."

He noted that in terms of internal displacement alone, due to conflict and natural disasters, more than 31 million people were newly displaced in 2016, adding to the millions already living in long-term protracted displacement.

"IOM's humanitarian programming aims not only to save lives but to help affected communities stabilize, build resilience and find solutions. The long-term impact of our responses is of paramount importance," said Abdiker. Enditem