THE United Nations has announced a sharply reduced humanitarian funding appeal for 2026 after global support — particularly from Western governments — fell to its lowest level in a decade.
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Monday that it is seeking US$33 billion to assist around 135 million people affected by conflict, climate-driven disasters, earthquakes, epidemics and acute food insecurity.
Reuters reported, this year, the organisation received just US$15 billion, marking the weakest funding response in ten years.
For 2026, OCHA is requesting more than US$4.1 billion to assist three million people in the Palestinian territories, US$2.9 billion for Sudan — currently facing the world’s largest displacement crisis — and US$2.8 billion for a regional response plan for Syria.
“In 2025, hunger surged. Food budgets were slashed — even as famines hit parts of Sudan and Gaza. Health systems broke apart,” said OCHA chief Tom Fletcher.
“Disease outbreaks spiked. Millions went without essential food, healthcare and protection. Programmes to protect women and girls were slashed, hundreds of aid organisations shut.”
The U.N. had sought US$47 billion for 2025, aiming to reach 190 million people worldwide. However, reduced donor commitments meant the organisation and its partners assisted 25 million fewer people than in 2024.
“I know budgets are tight right now. Families everywhere are under strain,” Fletcher said. “But the world spent US$2.7 trillion on defence last year — on guns and arms. And I’m asking for just over 1% of that.”
Fletcher reiterated his call for a “radical transformation” of humanitarian operations, urging reduced bureaucracy, improved efficiency and a greater shift of resources and authority to local organisations.
He noted that he has held “very practical, constructive conversations” with the Trump administration on an almost daily basis.
“Do I want to shame the world into responding? Absolutely,” he said. “But I also want to channel this sense of determination and anger that we have as humanitarians, that we will carry on delivering with what we get.” - December 8, 2025
