UN Aid Agency Cuts 2026 Appeal to $33B 12/08 06:19

   The U.N.'s humanitarian aid coordination office is downsizing its appeal for 
annual funding in 2026 after support this year, mostly from Western 
governments, plunged to the lowest level in a decade.

   GENEVA (AP) -- The U.N.'s humanitarian aid coordination office is downsizing 
its appeal for annual funding in 2026 after support this year, mostly from 
Western governments, plunged to the lowest level in a decade.

   The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said 
Monday it was seeking $33 billion to help some 135 million people cope with 
fallout from wars, climate disasters, earthquakes, epidemics and food 
shortages. This year, it took in $15 billion, the lowest level in a decade.

   The office says next year it wants more than $4.1 billion to reach 3 million 
people in Palestinian areas, another $2.9 billion for Sudan -- home to the 
world's largest displacement crisis -- and $2.8 billion for a regional plan 
around 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. Programs to protect women and girls were slashed, 
hundreds of aid organizations shut."

   The U.N. aid coordinator sought $47 billion for this year and aimed to help 
190 million people worldwide. Because of the lower support, it and humanitarian 
partners reached 25 million fewer people this year than in 2024.

   "I know budgets are tight right now. Families everywhere are under strain," 
Fletcher said. "But the world spent $2.7 trillion on defense last year -- on 
guns and arms. And I'm asking for just over 1% of that."

   He has called for "radical transformation" of aid by reducing bureaucracy, 
boosting efficiency and giving more power to local groups. Fletcher cited "very 
practical, constructive conversations" almost daily with the Trump 
administration.

   "Do I want to shame the world into responding? Absolutely," Fletcher 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."