Geneva - The UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, today will help UN humanitarian agencies launch a global plea for $2.4 billion (€2.3 billion) to aid the populations of 15 of the world's poorest countries or regions. The UN said its agencies would ask the international community to donate the money next year.
Agencies participating in the drive include the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), the UN children's fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme, the World Health Organisation and the UN Development Programme.