War and complex emergencies strain aid resources From Angola in Southwestern Africa to Kosovo in Southeastern Europe, many parts of the world ravaged by war and civil strife face complex emergencies requiring many types of humanitarian assistance. The long-simmering conflict that boiled over in Kosovo in the spring of 1999 attracted the most international attention and involvement. This conflict created enormous human suffering and laid waste much of the province's productive infrastructure. But the outpouring of humanitarian aid has been more than sufficient to stave off hunger for at least a year. Whether levels of undernourishment will increase after the aid is withdrawn will depend on the success of rehabilitation and recovery programmes currently being designed and put into operation. The situation in Angola is much more troubling. There, renewed fighting has driven nearly 2 million people from their homes. Many have fled from the countryside into besieged cities and towns where they must depend on airlifts of food aid for survival. As of mid-year, food distributions were able to meet only 60 percent of the needs and FAO experts warned of a catastrophe, with the threat of mass starvation among displaced people. United Nations consolidated inter-agency humanitarian assistance appeals, 1998-1999   As of July 1998 As of July 1999 Region Appeals US$ (million) Pledges US$ (million) Needs covered (%) Appeals US$ (million) Pledges US$ (million) Needs covered (%) Africa, Asia, Middle East* 1 560 506 32 1 306 348 27 Southeastern Europe** 516 271 53 1 098 372 34 Total 2 076 777 37 2 412 772 30 *including newly independent states    **Including only Former Yugoslavia in 1998    Source: OCHA Not counting Southeastern Europe, 14 countries and one sub-region faced complex humanitarian emergencies in 1999. The total requested under OCHA appeals for such emergencies increased by 20 percent over 1998. But the total amount of humanitarian aid pledged as of July 1999 has declined slightly and a far higher percentage is going to Southeastern Europe. Inevitably, that means less is available to meet essential human needs elsewhere. Afghanistan, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda are all countries where substantially lower percentages of total needs have been covered this year than in 1998. In these countries, the spread of undernourishment is inevitable. Factors that bring about change Financial crisis undermines Asian progress Floods and drought take toll on lives and crops