Humanitarian Funding Shortage Puts 300 Mln Lives at Risk

The United Nations has raised alarm over the sharp decline in humanitarian funding, warning that it threatens the lives of more than 300 million people worldwide.

Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, described the current humanitarian situation as "a time of crisis," highlighting that the scale and speed of funding cuts have dealt a severe blow to global relief efforts.

According to the UN News Center, Fletcher stressed that UN agencies and humanitarian partners are now facing tough decisions about which lives to prioritize and which to attempt to save.

He warned that the coming weeks will be critical in determining how the humanitarian community will navigate this ongoing challenge, which threatens both their legitimacy and funding.

In a recent message to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, Fletcher outlined ten key strategies to respond to the current crisis.

He emphasized that with limited resources, the core mission of humanitarian efforts must become clearer and more focused.

By the end of this week, UN humanitarian coordinators from crisis-affected countries are expected to submit detailed plans on how to adapt their strategies to the current funding shortage. These discussions will involve humanitarian teams from various UN agencies and NGOs.

Fletcher also called for an end to the era of impunity and attacks on civilians and aid workers, stressing the need to hold perpetrators accountable.

The UN official highlighted that nearly half of humanitarian appeals in recent years were funded by the United States. However, he acknowledged that the issue is not limited to American funding cuts but reflects broader global challenges.

The UN is currently seeking $47 billion to support humanitarian operations worldwide. Fletcher stressed the need to save as many lives as possible with the resources available, rather than focusing on the funds they wish to receive.

Regarding the situation in Gaza, Fletcher noted the significant impact that continued humanitarian aid has made since the ceasefire. He emphasized that the recent border closures have prevented the delivery of crucial assistance, further worsening the humanitarian crisis.

On Sudan, Fletcher highlighted his recent visit to the country, where he aimed to shed light on the worsening crisis, particularly in Darfur and the Zamzam camp, where famine has been declared. He urged for an end to the conflict and called for silencing the guns to allow aid to reach those in desperate need.