The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has announced its global appeal for 2025, seeking $47 billion to assist 190 million people in 32 countries, despite estimating that 305 million individuals worldwide are in need of aid. The agency, under new leadership, aims to be more strategic in its allocation of resources, acknowledging the challenges in fundraising for crisis zones such as Gaza, Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine.
In recent years, humanitarian organizations have faced dwindling donations for longstanding conflict areas like Syria, South Sudan, the Middle East, and Congo, as well as emerging crises in Ukraine and Sudan. Aid access has been particularly challenging in regions like Sudan and Gaza, impacting the delivery of essential assistance.
The shortfall in funding for 2025 follows a similar trend from the previous year, with only 43% of the $50 billion appeal for this year being fulfilled as of last month. This has resulted in significant cutbacks, including an 80% reduction in food aid for Syria, which is experiencing heightened conflict in recent days.
The largest funding requests for 2025 are for Syria, totaling $8.7 billion, Sudan at $6 billion, the Occupied Palestinian Territory at $4 billion, Ukraine at approximately $3.3 billion, and Congo at nearly $3.2 billion. The agency emphasizes the need to prioritize aid delivery to reach those most in need, highlighting the importance of maximizing impact with limited resources.
With uncertainties surrounding future funding, particularly from major donors like the United States, the agency is preparing for potential shifts in humanitarian support. The U.N.'s engagement with the incoming U.S. administration, led by President-elect Donald Trump, is expected to be a key focus in the coming months, as the U.S. remains the largest single donor to U.N. humanitarian efforts.
Despite the challenges and risks faced by humanitarian workers and U.N. staff, the agency remains committed to addressing the escalating crises around the world. The new leadership is determined to navigate the complex landscape of humanitarian aid, ensuring that resources are directed towards the most critical needs in conflict-affected regions.
