U.N. seeks $4.7 billion in aid for neglected crises

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations urged wealthy nations on Wednesday to donate $4.7 billion next year to lend a helping hand to 31 million people in 26 countries facing often-overlooked humanitarian crises. 

The world responded generously this year to the Indian Ocean tsunami and hurricanes in the Americas, and the 2006 U.N. appeal" is an opportunity, which must not be missed, to extend that generosity to people whose plight may not capture the world's attention," U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said.