Vessel off Yemen with more than 1m barrels of oil aboard has been stranded for six years and is close to breaking up
A rare UN appeal to the public to raise $20m is to be launched on Tuesday in an attempt to prevent an environmental catastrophe caused byThe money is needed to offload more than 1.14m barrels of oil that have been sitting in the decrepit cargo ship, Safer, for more than six years because of an impasse between Houthi groups and the Saudi-backed government over ownership and responsibility.
He admitted legal and budgetary constraints have made it difficult for some countries to contribute: “It is far easier to raise funds to respond to a catastrophe than to prevent a catastrophe.” Any delay into July means the four-month operation would not be complete by the time the winds and currents strengthen dangerously from November onwards.
The UN has so far only raised $60m from member states as part of a complex operation to remove the oil and then sell it on the open market. The estimated total cost of all the stages of the clean-up is put at $144m, but countries have so far failed to stump up the cash.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UN human rights chief to forgo second term amid China trip criticismMichelle Bachelet, strongly criticised over Xinjiang visit, cites personal reasons for decision
Read more »
North Korea launches artillery shells towards the sea as Kim Jong Un appeals for unity at homeKim Jong Un calls for greater internal unity as North Korea deals with economic issues and a COVID-19 outbreak, a day after South Korea's military says the North test-fired artillery shells.
Read more »
Gun pulled out in alleged road rage incident in SydneyNew South Wales Police have released CCTV images of three men and a woman allegedly involved in a terrifying armed road rage incident in Sydney's south-west.
Read more »
North Korea launches artillery shells towards the sea as Kim Jong Un appeals for unity at homeKim Jong Un calls for greater internal unity as North Korea deals with economic issues and a COVID-19 outbreak, a day after South Korea's military says the North test-fired artillery shells.
Read more »
Inner west residents fear towers will dwarf White Bay Power StationPlans to build 22-storey towers close to the power station have sparked concerns it will be swallowed by a major redevelopment of the neglected Rozelle waterfront.
Read more »
Ukraine fears western support will fade as media loses interest in the warCosts and casualties are rising but Kyiv warns that the conflict with Russia is becoming normalised in people’s minds, at home and abroad
Read more »