UN aid coordination agency cuts appeal for 2026 to $33B after lowest annual support in a decade

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid is reducing its appeal for annual funding into 2026 after support this year, mostly from Western governments, fell to the lowest level in a decade.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Monday it is seeking $33 billion to help some 135 million people cope with wars, climate disasters, earthquakes, pandemics and food shortages. This year there was an investment of 15 billion dollars, which is the lowest level in a decade.

The office says it wants more than $4.1 billion next year to reach 3 million people in the Palestinian territories, adding that it wants another $2.9 billion. Sudan – home to the world’s largest displacement crisis – and $2.8 billion for regional planning Syria,

“In 2025, hunger increased. Food budgets were cut – there was even famine in parts of Sudan and GazaHealth systems collapsed,” OCHA chief said Tom Fletcher,disease outbreak Sharp. Millions of people went without essential food, health care and protection. “Programs to protect women and girls were scaled back, hundreds of aid organizations closed.”

The UN aid coordinator sought $47 billion for this year and aimed to help 190 million people around the world. Due to reduced support, it and humanitarian partners reached 25 million fewer people this year than in 2024.

“I know there are budget constraints right now. Families everywhere are under stress,” Fletcher said. “But the world spent $2.7 trillion on defense last year – on guns and weapons. And I’m asking for more than just 1% of that.”

He has called for a “radical transformation” of aid by reducing bureaucracy, increasing efficiency and giving more power to local groups. Fletcher cited “very insightful, constructive conversations” with the Trump administration almost daily.

Fletcher said, “Do I want to embarrass the world into answering? Absolutely.” “But I also want to convey our sense of determination and anger as humanitarians, that we will continue to make ends meet no matter what we get.”