On 26 June 1998 the international community observed the first United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture channels humanitarian assistance to an increasing number of organizations that help victims of torture every year. Thanks to a substantial increase in the contributions received from Governments, the Fund will disburse more than $4 million in 1998-1999 for medical, psychological, social, financial and legal assistance to about 100 organizations that assist some 60,000 victims of torture worldwide.