The US has pledged $1.8 billion in humanitarian funding for United Nations operations in 2026, marking a major commitment despite previous reductions in foreign aid under President Donald Trump.
The new pledge raises total US humanitarian commitments to the UN this year to approximately $3.8 billion, although the figure remains significantly below pre-2025 funding levels.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said the funding would help save lives globally while supporting reforms aimed at improving efficiency, accountability, and long-term impact within UN aid programs.
The latest package comes in addition to $2 billion previously pledged by Washington in December to support humanitarian operations across 18 countries.
US officials said the funding was linked to commitments by the UN to implement institutional reforms.
Washington has repeatedly criticized some UN aid programs, accusing them of inefficiency and promoting policies that conflict with American political priorities.
Despite sharp reductions in aid spending, the US remained the world’s largest humanitarian donor in 2025, contributing around $2.7 billion compared with nearly $11 billion in 2024.
António Guterres welcomed the latest US pledge, saying the funding would help humanitarian workers reach millions of people affected by wars, epidemics, climate change, and natural disasters.
The UN estimates it will require $33 billion in 2026 to support approximately 135 million people facing severe humanitarian crises worldwide.
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