Funding cuts could leave 11 million people without aid, warns UN refugee agency.
A significant funding crisis has emerged in humanitarian aid, affecting over 11 million refugees who may soon be deprived of crucial assistance, according to a recent report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The agency revealed on Friday that it has secured only 23 percent of its annual funding goal of .6 billion, anticipating an overall budget limitation of .5 billion by the year’s end to support the needs of approximately 122 million individuals.
Dominique Hyde, Director of External Relations at UNHCR, described the situation as dire, expressing concerns that 11.6 million refugees and others fleeing perilous circumstances are at risk of losing access to essential humanitarian support. The easing of financial contributions from multiple nations has exacerbated this crisis; notably, a substantial reduction in funding from the United States, which historically accounted for 40 percent—over billion—of the agency’s total donations last year.
Under the current U.S. administration’s approach, there has been a notable scaling back of the budget for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and its global aid initiatives. The stated intent behind these budgetary adjustments is to eliminate wasteful spending. However, this has resulted in UNHCR having to halt or suspend aid programs valued at approximately .4 billion, which includes a stark 60 percent cut in monetary assistance and emergency relief supplies in critical regions, such as Sudan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.
The report titled “On the Brink: The Devastating Toll of Aid Cuts on People Forced to Flee” highlights the critical services adversely affected by these funding cuts, encompassing medical aid, education, shelter, nutrition, and protection measures. In Bangladesh, where Rohingya refugees have resided in crowded camps for years, the education of around 230,000 children is now under threat.
The report underscores a concerning trend impacting women and girls disproportionately, as UNHCR has been forced to reduce a quarter of its support for programs addressing gender-based violence. Women and girls in Afghanistan, in particular, face severe setbacks due to these funding cuts, with protective activities being reduced by over 50 percent, thus undermining initiatives aimed at women’s empowerment and mental health.
As a consequence of the ongoing financial shortfall, UNHCR is forced to downsize operations, which includes a 33 percent reduction of its global workforce, involving the elimination of 3,500 positions at its Geneva headquarters and regional offices. The plight of refugees worldwide remains a pressing humanitarian concern that demands renewed commitment and funding from all nations to support these vulnerable populations.
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