Don’t forget refugees in financial crisis: UNHCR

GENEVA (AFP) - The United Nations warned the world not to abandon humanitarian aid commitments amidst the current financial crisis, saying such a move could have “dramatic consequences.”

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said humanitarian aid funds were “peanuts” compared to the sums being pledged to bail out the financial system.

“If this peanuts would be reduced, we would face dramatic consequences,” he warned.

Guterres was speaking to journalists after the UN High Commission for Refugees held its executive committee meeting this week.

The UNHCR, which takes care of 31 million refugees and displaced people in the world, has a budget of $1.8b for next year.

In comparison, the United States has approved a rescue plan worth $700b to stop a financial system meltdown.