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Humanitarian needs are soaring in conflict zones, including Sudan, Gaza, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Myanmar. (AFP Photo)
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The United Nations has announced major reductions to its global humanitarian efforts, citing what it calls the “deepest funding cuts ever” as the reason behind a significant scale-back of its aid ambitions.
In a statement released on Monday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed it is now seeking $29 billion in aid, down sharply from the $44 billion requested in December. The agency said it would refocus efforts on the most urgent crises through a "hyper-prioritised" plan. 
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WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO RE-PRIORITIZE OUR WORK
The drastic shift follows a severe decline in contributions from key donors, particularly the United States, which cut foreign aid under former President Donald Trump. Other nations have since reduced support, citing global economic uncertainty.
As of this year, the UN has received just $5.6 billion—only 13 percent of its original appeal.
This funding shortfall comes at a time when humanitarian needs are rising, particularly in conflict zones such as Sudan, Gaza, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Myanmar.
“Brutal funding cuts leave us with brutal choices,” said Tom Fletcher, Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
“All we ask is 1 percent of what you spent last year on war. But this isn’t just an appeal for money – it’s a call for global responsibility, for human solidarity, and for a commitment to end suffering.”
Fletcher likened the response to medical triage, saying the UN has been “forced into a triage of human survival.” “The math is cruel, and the consequences are heartbreaking. Too many people will not receive the support they need—but we will save as many lives as we can with the resources we are given.”
Human Rights Protections Also at Risk
Speaking at the Human Rights Council’s annual meeting in Geneva, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, warned that the funding crisis would have a ripple effect beyond humanitarian aid.
He said that reduced resources would undermine early warning systems for human rights violations and weaken protections for the world’s most vulnerable communities.
“Funding cuts to my office, and the broader human rights ecosystem, offer comfort to dictators and authoritarians,” Türk said.
The UN's revised appeal highlights a growing global concern: as conflicts and crises intensify, the world’s capacity to respond is shrinking.
Source: UN HUMANTARIAN
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