I am honoured to present the 2009 Humanitarian Appeal.  This compendium of strategic humanitarian action plans and funding requests focuses on twelve of the world’s most severe crises.  It is the culmination of an extensive process involving hundreds of aid organizations, affected governments, donors and other concerned stakeholders across the world.   The global financial crisis has raised inevitable concerns that there could be a decline in humanitarian funding for 2009.  I urge Member States and private donors not to let that happen.  Next year’s needs will be at least as great as in 2008, and probably even greater, since we continue to cope with the global food crisis, the effects of climate change and the long-running conflicts that cause so much human distress.  We must do all we can to preserve humanitarian funding.  As stabilization is the watchword in turbulent economic times, so must stability be our goal in helping desperate victims of conflict, natural disasters and extreme hardship.   The international humanitarian system exists to help governments of affected countries help their own people.  There is no shame in accepting help when it is needed.  Indeed, there are occasions when even the largest and most powerful countries see a useful role for specialized help from friends and neighbours, well coordinated with the national response.  It is a mark of responsibility and seriousness to call for such help when needed, or to accept it when offered.   In that spirit, the United Nations and its non-governmental humanitarian partners put forward the plans and appeals for 2009 contained in this document. On behalf of 30 million people in 31 countries, and on behalf of the 360 organizations that have come together to devise these plans, I appeal for $7 billion dollars to be provided without delay and as a top priority.  Our aim is to help these most vulnerable people survive the coming year, and enable them to start working their way out of vulnerability and despair towards the dignity, safety and self-sufficiency to which every human being has a right. Ban Ki-moon 19 November 2008