UN Slashes Global Aid Plan Over 'Deepest Funding Cuts Ever'

Published: Monday, June 16, 2025 at 11:03 am

**UN Scales Back Aid Plans Amidst Funding Crisis**

The United Nations is drastically reducing its global humanitarian aid plans for 2025 due to what it calls the "deepest funding cuts ever." The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is now seeking $29 billion, a significant decrease from the original $44 billion requested in December. This revised appeal reflects a "hyper-prioritised" approach, focusing resources on the most urgent needs.

The funding shortfall has been attributed to cuts from major donor countries, including the United States, the world's largest donor. These cuts have impacted emergency aid, vaccination campaigns, and the distribution of essential medicines. Other donor nations have also reduced their contributions, citing an uncertain economic outlook.

OCHA chief Tom Fletcher has warned of the dire consequences, stating that the cuts force difficult choices and will result in millions not receiving the support they need. The UN has only received $5.6 billion of the $44 billion originally sought for this year, representing just 13 percent of the initial request. The original plan aimed to assist nearly 190 million vulnerable people across more than 70 countries, but even then, it acknowledged that 115 million would not be reached.

Aid will now be directed to areas facing the most urgent needs, with those in "extreme or catastrophic conditions" taking priority. A joint report from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) highlights worsening hunger in 13 hotspots. Five of these areas, including Sudan, the Palestinian territories, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali, face an immediate risk of starvation. The report emphasizes that these crises are exacerbated by limited access and critical funding shortfalls. Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and Nigeria are also of very high concern. The WFP has also reported an "unprecedented crisis" due to a 40 percent cut in its 2025 funding, putting life-saving aid for 58 million people at risk.

BNN's Perspective:

The situation is concerning. While fiscal responsibility is important, significant cuts to humanitarian aid, especially in the face of global crises, can have devastating consequences. A balanced approach is needed, one that acknowledges the economic realities while ensuring that the most vulnerable populations receive the support they desperately need. International cooperation and a commitment to global responsibility are crucial to mitigating the impact of these funding shortfalls.

Keywords:

UN, humanitarian aid, funding cuts, OCHA, WFP, FAO, global crisis, starvation, hunger, emergency aid, United States, vulnerable people, food insecurity, aid shortfall, global responsibility

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