Record 130 million people live on humanitarian aid: UN

United Nations, Aug 20: A record 130 million people are dependent on humanitarian assistance to survive, said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday, calling on the world to unite to "leave no one behind".

"Hidden behind the statistics are individuals, families and communities whose lives have been devastated," said Ban in a message on the World Humanitarian Day on Friday.

Ban urged the international community to raise money for the UN' s Central Emergency Response Fund to support individuals worldwide that are in need of help, Xinhua news agency reported.

World Humanitarian Day is annually commemorated on August 19, a date that coincides with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing attack against UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq.

This year under the world day's theme of "one humanity", the United Nations is calling for commitments to support people affected by crisis and ensure that aid workers can safely and more effectively deliver to those in need.

IANS