11 September 1996 IHA/605
UNITED NATIONS SEEKS $28 MILLION FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN SIERRA LEONE 19960911NEW YORK, 11 September (Department of Humanitarian Affairs) -- The United Nations is seeking $28 million for humanitarian assistance in Sierra Leone to cover the period until February 1997. The updated consolidated inter-agency appeal for Sierra Leone, launched today, reflects the recent positive developments in the country following elections and the constitution of a civilian Government. Last March, the United Nations had called for a total of $57 million to meet the needs of approximately 1.6 million internally displaced people.Last month, United Nations agencies carried out a mid-term review of the appeal to reflect the changes that had taken place in Sierra Leone following the restoration of a multi-party democracy in March and the ensuing cease-fire agreement. The update was prepared in order to place humanitarian activities within the broader framework of the recovery and resettlement programme of the new Government, as well as to harmonize those activities with the "quick action programme" the Government will present to the international community on 17 and 18 September in Geneva. The humanitarian programme has been modified to meet the peacetime demands for emergency relief, and the projects covered in the original appeal have been maintained, revised or deleted according to current requirements. Given those factors, as well as the contributions received to date, there remains a shortfall of $28 million to meet the most pressing needs of the war- affected Sierra Leoneans. The people of Sierra Leone have shown great determination to build a better future for themselves. Continued assistance of the international community is urgently required to help the country consolidate the peace and lay the foundations for long-term recovery. * *** *
United Nations
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