The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Thursday asked donors for more than 1.1 billion Swiss francs (about US$939 million) to fund its humanitarian operations next year.

Launching its humanitarian appeals 2009, the organization said it needs 996.9 million Swiss francs (about US%845 million) for field operations worldwide and 168.6 million Swiss francs (about US$143 million) for its headquarters in Geneva.

The field budget marks a 7 percent increase over the corresponding 2008 figure and is the highest since 2000.

Sudan remains the ICRC's largest humanitarian operation, at an expected cost of more than 102 million Swiss francs (about US$87 million) in 2009.

It is followed by Iraq (US$81 million) and Afghanistan (US$62 million).

Food aid, health activities, and water and sanitation programs make up 58 percent (about US$464 million) of the 2009 field budget, a 12 percent increase over 2008.

"What is striking about 2009 is the prospect of increased vulnerability of people already suffering the effects of armed conflict, such as those who are displaced or detained," said ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger.

"The ICRC will have to respond to their needs quickly and to sustain its response over time," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 28, 2008)