Downturn to Cost Billions in Aid to World's Poor

MORE RELAXED
In South Asia, the mood is calmer, partly because most countries are less reliant on international donors than in Africa, where aid makes up close to half some national budgets.

Agencies in India told Reuters they had secured resources for the coming year but were cautious.

"It is important to ring those alarm bells of concern at this time because across South Asia there are people who are already teetering on the edge and a sustained wound to the head would be fatal," said Sarah Crowe, regional head of communications for the U.N. Children's Fund.