国际英语新闻：UN launches 96.4-million-dollar appeal for Kyrgyzstan

UNITED NATIONS, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations and humanitarian partners in Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday launched a revised Flash Appeal seeking 96.4 million dollars for humanitarian assistance in the southern regions of the country.

The revised Flash Appeal, based on the findings of assessments in areas such as education, food security, agriculture, health, protection, community restoration and shelter, is to help ensure the protection and well-being of the 400,000 people who have been directly affected by the recent violence, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters.

The original appeal for 73 million dollars was launched in early June to mobilize life-saving assistance. Access was however extremely limited due to violence and insecurity.

In late June, the security situation improved enough to allow humanitarian staff and operations on the ground to scale up. Aid workers have since conducted rapid needs assessments in key areas.

"The revised Flash Appeal is based on the findings of the assessments that have been carried out, including in areas such as education, food security, agriculture, health, protection, community restoration and shelter. As a result of this analysis, projects and programs have been calibrated to deliver humanitarian relief based on assessed needs," said Neal Walker, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan.

The original Flash Appeal that sought 73 million dollars now requires 96 million and is currently 30 percent funded.

In the revised Flash Appeal, priority is given to those interventions that must happen between now and the end of the year, especially in the areas of protection and shelter.

"People in the south need to feel safe again in order to move on to recovery, reconstruction and reconciliation. It is equally important to ensure that people whose houses have been destroyed or damaged have durable shelter before the onset of winter. We are working with the authorities to find solutions," Walker stressed.