The United Nations appealed today for a record 22.5 billion dollar to provide aid in 2018 to soaring numbers of people slammed by conflicts and disasters around the world.<br/><br/>The global appeal by UN agencies and other humanitarian organisations aims to raise funds to help the some 91 million most vulnerable of the nearly 136 million people expected to need aid across 26 countries next year. The number of people in need of international assistance worldwide has thus risen more than five percent from last year's estimate.<br/><br/>UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock said in a statement launching the appeal, more people than ever before will need the assistance. Drought, floods and other weather-related catastrophes are expected to continue racking up humanitarian needs. <br/><br/>But Lowcock stressed that conflict, in particular protracted crises, will continue to be the main driver of need in 2018. One conflict clearly tops the charts in terms of humanitarian needs.