United Nations, Jun 28 (IANS): The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that it has received only 20 per cent of the $54.8 billion needed to aid people globally this year.

"These funding gaps have real consequences on millions of people's food insecurity, health and protection, among others, and we encourage donors to continue to contribute generously to the humanitarian response plans," Xinhua news agency quoted the UN body as saying in its latest update.

"With needs growing exponentially, funding is struggling to keep pace."

At the year's mid-point, the humanitarian office said 362 million people need relief, 13 million more than those needing help at the beginning of the year.

"This means that one in 22 people globally now requires assistance," OCHA said. "Unequal funding across emergencies and sectors has challenged our ability to respond to the surging needs."

The office said underfunded crises include Myanmar, Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Somalia and Venezuela.

The DRC is an example of the challenges facing OCHA.

One of the world's most complex and protracted humanitarian crises, the DRC needed $1.88 billion for relief in 2022.

This year the DRC needs $2.25 billion to provide assistance and protection to 10 million people, said OCHA.