Appeal by the Secretary-General of the United Nations 

The 2010 Humanitarian Appeal contains strategic humanitarian action plans for 12 of the world's most severe crises.  It is the culmination of an extensive process of analysis and planning involving hundreds of aid organizations, affected governments, donors and other stakeholders across the world. The global recession has raised inevitable concerns that humanitarian funding may decline in 2010.  I urge Member States and private donors to keep that from happening.  Next year's will be at least as great as in 2009, as we continue to cope with climate-related disasters and the conflicts which cause so much human distress. The international humanitarian system is designed to help governments help their own people.  Even the largest and most powerful countries sometimes see a useful role for specialized help from friends and neighbours, fully coordinated with the national response.  It is a sign of responsibility to call for such help when needed, and to accept it when offered. Indeed, Member States should not be thought of as either "donors" or "recipients".  A growing number of Member States which have turned to friends for help in past disasters are today in a position to offer help and to support international humanitarian aid in its many forms.  Such a broadening of substantive support for relief efforts is crucial as the world responds to rising humanitarian needs. Recent tragic events have shown that we cannot take the safety of aid workers for granted, and that humanitarian personnel are not always allowed the free access to affected civilians that they need to deliver life-saving aid.  We must reinforce respect for the neutrality of humanitarians. On behalf of 48 million people in 25 countries needing urgent help, and on behalf of the 380 organizations that have come together to devise these plans, I appeal for 7.1 billion US dollars to be provided without delay and as a common sense investment in global stability and well-being.  Our aim is to help people survive the coming year, and start working their way out of vulnerability towards the dignity, safety and self-sufficiency to which every human being has a right. Ban Ki-moon November 2009