Facing drastic foreign aid cuts from the U.S. and Europe, the UN is halving its 2026 emergency funding request to $23 billion, targeting 87 million people instead of 135 million. This follows a severe 2025 shortfall, where only $12 billion of a $29 billion appeal was received.
UN relief chief Tom Fletcher called the decision “heartbreaking,” noting budgets were “slashed even as famines hit.” The consequences are acute: over 150 health facilities closed in Somalia, and winter support in Afghanistan will reach only one million people versus five million last year.
The UN plans to adapt by using more local partners and cash assistance to lower costs. However, Fletcher described the situation as “daunting,” feeling like “jumping off a cliff.” While engaging with donors like the U.S., the UN also seeks private funds to bridge gaps, acknowledging donor concerns over bureaucratic inefficiency amidst overwhelming global need.
