Millions of vulnerable people face heightened risk after the UN announced it would scale back aid programmes amid unprecedented global funding cuts. OCHA chief Tom Fletcher called for more solidarity to prevent needless suffering.
The United Nations has announced it is drastically scaling back its global humanitarian operations due to what it describes as the most severe funding shortfall in its history – a move that could leave tens of millions without crucial support.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed on Monday that it now seeks $29 billion (€25 billion) in funding for 2025, a significant drop from the $44 billion originally requested in December.
The pared-down appeal is described as “hyper-prioritised”, focusing only on the most life-threatening crises.
The funding squeeze comes at a time when global needs are soaring.
The return of Donald Trump to the White House in January has seen the United States – historically the world’s largest donor – slash its foreign aid budget dramatically, sending shockwaves through the humanitarian sector.
Global aid in chaos as Trump proposes to slash funds and dismantle USAID
'Brutal cuts'
Other major donor countries have followed suit, tightening their purses amid economic uncertainty.
“Brutal funding cuts leave us with brutal choices,” said OCHA chief Tom Fletcher in a statement.
“We’re asking for just one percent of what the world spent last year on war. But more than money, this is an appeal for humanity, for global responsibility and solidarity to prevent needless suffering.”
While visiting a hospital in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province earlier this year, Fletcher warned that cutting support to those most in need is not something to celebrate.
“The impact of aid cuts is that millions die,” he said plainly.
UN brands record 110 million displaced people an 'indictment' of the state of the world
'Difficult decisions'
So far this year, the UN has received only $5.6 billion of the $44 billion initially requested – just 13 percent of what it needs to help the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Originally, the plan was to reach 190 million people across more than 70 countries.
Even then, the UN acknowledged it would still leave 115 million people beyond its reach.
With the funding gap widening, aid officials are now forced to make difficult decisions.
“We have been forced into a triage of human survival,” Fletcher admitted. “Too many people will not get the support they desperately need, but we will save as many lives as we can with the resources at hand.”
In practical terms, this means aid will now target the most severe emergencies first, prioritising those in “extreme or catastrophic conditions”.
Fletcher emphasised that every dollar must go where it can save the most lives, as swiftly as possible.
Macron calls malnutrition a 'fight for peace' as donors pledge €25bn
'Catastrophic hunger'
Monday's announcement came alongside a stark joint report by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme, which highlighted worsening hunger in 13 global hotspots.
Five countries – Sudan, the Palestinian territories, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali – are on the brink of famine, with millions at risk of starvation.
“This report is a red alert,” said WFP chief Cindy McCain. “Without urgent funding and safe access, we simply cannot save lives. The window to prevent catastrophic hunger is closing fast.”
The WFP itself is grappling with a 40 percent cut to its budget for 2025, threatening critical food assistance for 58 million people worldwide.
Despite the scale of the challenge, Fletcher insists the world must not lose hope.
“Human solidarity can still turn this tide,” he said. “With swift, united action, we can prevent the worst and protect the most vulnerable among us.”
(With newswires)
