Associated Press: U.N. aid chief: Yemen talks not an ‘easy or rapid process’
“…Mark Lowcock, head of the [U.N.] Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, spoke to the Associated Press on Monday after laying out the organization’s 2019 humanitarian appeal. OCHA says $21.9 billion is needed next year for food, shelter, health care, education, protection, and other assistance worldwide. It predicts nearly 132 million people in 42 countries will need assistance…” (12/4).

Reuters: U.N. seeks $21.9 billion in aid next year, largest needs in Yemen
“…The appeal to donor countries does not include the funding requirements for Syria, which are expected to bring the total up to $25 billion, it said” (12/4).

Reuters: U.N. seeks $738 million to help Venezuela’s neighbors handle migrant flood
“The United Nations said on Tuesday it was seeking $738 million in 2019 to help neighboring countries cope with the inflow of millions of Venezuelan refugees and migrants, who have ‘no prospect for return in the short to medium term’…” (Nebehay, 12/4).

U.N. News: Global aid appeal targets more than 93 million most in need next year
“Speaking at the launch of a major annual analysis of global humanitarian needs, Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock said that a total of 132 million people will need assistance next year. Of that number, the UN and its partner organizations aim to support 93.6 million. While conflict is the main cause, climate-related risks such as drought and tropical storms are also significant contributors to the number of people in crisis…” (12/4).

Additional coverage of this story is available from Al Jazeera and the New York Times.