The United Nations announced on Monday that it is making drastic cuts to its global humanitarian operations, citing what it described as the “deepest funding cuts ever” in the organisation’s history.
In a statement released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the agency said it is now seeking $29 billion in funding for 2025 — a sharp drop from the $44 billion originally requested in December.
The revised appeal comes as donor nations scale back their commitments, leaving the UN to make what it calls “brutal choices.”
“We’ve been forced into a triage of human survival,” said Tom Fletcher, head of OCHA. “Brutal funding cuts leave us with brutal choices.”
Fletcher urged the international community to step up, saying, “All we ask is 1 per cent of what was spent last year on war. This is not just an appeal for money — it’s a plea for humanity and solidarity.”
The shortfall comes as conflicts and humanitarian emergencies escalate in regions such as Sudan, Gaza, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Myanmar.
Yet, as of mid-2025, the UN has only received $5.6 billion — just 13 per cent of its original target.
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Analysts say the funding gap worsened following the heavy aid cuts imposed by the United States under President Donald Trump, who assumed office in January.
The U.S., historically the world’s largest humanitarian donor, significantly scaled back its foreign aid budget, setting off ripple effects across global relief efforts.
Other donor countries have also tightened their contributions amid global economic uncertainty, inflation, and shifting political priorities.
To respond to the crisis, OCHA says it will now focus on “hyper-prioritised” interventions, delivering aid only to the most urgent crises and the most vulnerable populations. “Limited resources will be directed where they can do the most good — as quickly as possible,” the agency said.
The revised approach will include scaling down operations in areas deemed less critical, with humanitarian planning now being adjusted in real-time to reflect the harsh funding realities.
“The math is cruel,” Fletcher added. “The consequences are heartbreaking. But we will save as many lives as we can.”