UN launches 2009 Global Humanitarian Appeal

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres launched the UN’s annual humanitarian charity appeal in Abu Dhabi on Monday. The occupied Palestinian territories (UN’s term for the combined Gaza and West Bank) are among 12 recipients of the $7bn that Guterres expects to raise.

UNHCR notes that this is the largest single appeal since the start of the annual process in 1991.

In translation: "The United Arab Emirates, a country with a long tradition of generosity and support for humanitarian causes and Islam, [together] provide a solid basis [upon which to build] international law on refugees," said António Guterres.