The United Nations on Thursday launched a revised appeal of US$434 million to address the dire humanitarian needs in Darfur, in western Sudan.  

Spokesman Stephane Dujarric told a press briefing in New York that a total of US$434 million is still required to meet the Sudan's most urgent humanitarian needs through the end of the year.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) pointed out that even as the recent conflict in Darfur dominates the headlines, only about 40 percent of the requested US$722 million has been received.

"While the number of people in critical need of humanitarian assistance has skyrocketed in Darfur in recent months, I implore the international community to also remember the plight of millions of vulnerable people struggling to survive all over the country," Stephane quoted the office as saying.

Overall funds required for the Darfur crisis have been revised upwards to US$365 million from US$250 million requested in March. The additional US$115 million will mainly be used for UN World Food Program (WFP) air operations to meet the increased demands, according to the office.

(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2004)