The U.N. flash appeal for post-cyclone aid to Myanmar has only raised $77.5 million, over $100 million less than member states had pledged, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Friday. OCHA said 63 percent of the flash appeal has been raised in both pledges and contributions, a U.N. spokesperson told the Saudi Press Agency (S.P.A.), but “contributions representing money than can actually be spent amount to only 40 percent of the funds required. We therefore need not only new pledges, but for donors to turn existing pledges into contributions.” “With access seemingly improving—particularly for U.N. staff—and government restrictions easing, further pledges and contributions should be made without further delay,” OCHA said.
