United Nations, Safar 25, 1437, Dec 7, 2015, SPA -- Leading U.N. agencies and their partners announced Monday they are seeking more than $20 billion in funding next year, the largest humanitarian appeal in history. The World Health Organization (WHO), the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and their partner organizations want to help 87 million people in 37 countries including Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and South Sudan next year—the most vulnerable people among an estimated 125 million in humanitarian need, officials said. Citing mass refugee flows, war, and catastrophes, the three U.N. agencies said the funding being sought—$20.1 billion—is five times greater than just a decade ago. The agencies warned their finances already are insufficient, with their 2015 appeals for $19.9 billion only half funded, making a funding deficit of $10.2 billion, also a record high. The funds, mostly from governments, go to medical support, food, shelter, protection, and other aid for vulnerable or displaced people. The appeals are to help cover all kinds of human miseries, such as those caused by war and natural disasters. The agencies noted that 60 million people have been forced to flee their homes in recent years. --SPA 19:53 LOCAL TIME 16:53 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w