Quarterly Regional Humanitarian Funding Update, 1st Quarter 2009

Main Findings:

- US$123 million has been reported to activities under Pillar II of the 2009 Iraq CAP, » »in support of Iraqi refugees in nine countries (details forthcoming). Pillar I of the Appeal, for projects inside Iraq, has received US$ 90 million - 39% of the total amount requested

- The vast majority (US$92 million) of assistance given by countries in the Middle East, » »North Africa and Central Asia region in the first quarter of 2009 has gone to the occupied Palestinian territory, largely in response to the Israeli military assault on Gaza in December 2008/ January 2009

- The Gaza Flash Appeal has received US$221 million (36%) of its requested US$ 612 million. » »The Consolidated Appeal for the whole of the occupied Palestinian territory which includes all projects for Gaza and the West Bank currently stands at 32%

- On 14 January, a Humanitarian Action Plan (HAP) for Afghanistan was launched; a major step » »towards a coherent and prioritized strategy to alleviate the pressing humanitarian needs of the Afghan people. The HAP presents a selected and prioritized set of 112 project proposals from 39 NGOs and eight United Nations organisations, and requests a total of US$604 million

- The 2009 Humanitarian Appeal will begin its mid-year review in May, reporting on progress » »made to date in 2009 and the impact of implemented programmes. The review also serves to highlight remaining priorities in countries and regions with a consolidated appeal, and will provide the basis for humanitarian programming for the remainder of the year. The revised appeal will be presented to donors in July