The United Nations has announced a drastic reduction in its global humanitarian aid appeal, citing the most severe funding cuts the agency has ever faced. The UN is now seeking $29 billion for 2025—down sharply from the $44 billion requested last December.
This major cutback comes as donor countries, including the United States, scale down contributions amid economic uncertainty. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S.—previously the largest donor—has significantly reduced foreign aid, sending shockwaves through the global humanitarian sector.
“Brutal funding cuts leave us with brutal choices,” said Tom Fletcher, head of the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). He added, “We are not just asking for money. This is a call for global responsibility and human solidarity.”
So far, only $5.6 billion—just 13% of the original target—has been received, despite escalating emergencies in Sudan, the Middle East, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Myanmar. OCHA officials warn that many vulnerable communities may not get the support they desperately need.
In response, the UN is now focusing its limited resources on the most urgent and life-threatening crises. Aid will be prioritized for regions already identified in the 2025 action plans, ensuring that help reaches those in the most critical need.
As global humanitarian demands surge, the UN urges world leaders to step up. “All we ask is 1% of what was spent on war last year,” said Fletcher. “If we act together, we can still save lives—even in the face of limited resources.”