UN Forced to Drastically Cut Global Aid Plan as Funding Dries Up

 June 16, 2025 – The United Nations today announced sweeping and "brutal" cuts to its global humanitarian aid operations, blaming what it described as the "deepest funding cuts ever" for a drastic scaling back of its ambitions to assist millions of the world's most vulnerable people. The move leaves tens of millions facing even more dire straits amidst escalating crises worldwide.

In a sobering statement released on Monday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed a sharp reduction in its aid appeal. It is now requesting $29 billion in funding for 2025, a significant drop from the $44 billion it had originally sought in December 2024. OCHA stated it would now implement a "hyper-prioritised" plan, refocusing efforts on the most critical emergencies to make the most of severely shrinking resources.

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher minced no words regarding the gravity of the situation. "Brutal funding cuts leave us with brutal choices," Fletcher said in the statement. "All we ask is one percent of what you chose to spend last year on war. But this isn't just an appeal for money – it's a call for global responsibility, for human solidarity, for a commitment to end the suffering."

The drastic reduction in funding comes primarily from a steep decline in contributions from key donor countries. Since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office in January, the United States – historically the world's largest contributor to humanitarian aid – has heavily slashed its foreign assistance, causing significant disruption across the sector. Other major donor nations have also reportedly reduced their contributions amidst an uncertain global economic outlook.

With 2025 nearly halfway through, the UN has received a mere $5.6 billion, representing only 13 percent of its original $44 billion target. This severe shortfall is occurring at a time when humanitarian needs are soaring in numerous conflict zones and disaster-hit areas, including Sudan, Gaza, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Myanmar.

"We have been forced into a triage of human survival," Fletcher grimly stated. "The math is cruel, and the consequences are heartbreaking. Too many people will not get the support they need, but we will save as many lives as we can with the resources we are given."

Under the revised guidelines, OCHA's remaining aid efforts will be redirected towards the most urgent crises, prioritizing support for "the people and places facing the most urgent needs" and those in "extreme or catastrophic conditions." This approach aims to ensure that limited resources are directed where they can have the most immediate and life-saving impact.

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) have also issued a joint early warning report, identifying worsening hunger in 13 global hotspots. Five of these locations—Sudan, the Palestinian territories, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali—are facing an immediate risk of starvation, situations exacerbated by these dwindling aid funds. The WFP itself announced in late March that it was facing an "unprecedented crisis" due to a 40 percent cut in its 2025 funding, risking life-saving aid for 58 million people.

This funding crisis marks a critical juncture for international humanitarian efforts, highlighting a growing disparity between the escalating global need for assistance and the diminishing willingness of major powers to provide it.