UN short nearly $5bn for aid projects as global recession hits donations

Half-yearly report says members countries have less funds to spare while poverty is on the increase in developing world. This is resulting in the UN pulling out of countries where their staff cannot live safely. The populations left behind are facing water and food shortages.

The United Nations is warning of a $4.8bn (£2.9bn) shortfall in funding to tackle humanitarian crises in the world's poorest countries, as the credit crunch leaves developed world governments with little cash to spare.

Delivering its half-yearly update about emergency fund-raising, John Holmes, of the UN's Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said that while the UN's emergency appeals had received more funds than at the same time last year, the economic crisis was exacerbating poverty and increasing need.

Clean drinking water is a basic human right, but 1 in 6 people do not have access - you can help - find out about volunteering - Gap year volunteers click here - help us build a sand dam in Kenya

Volunteers working with a local self help group to build a sand dam in Kenya July 2009

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