Editorial | World must heed UN’s appeal for aid funding to ease suffering of millions
Nations need to prioritise conflict prevention and provide more relief as overstretched and underfunded humanitarian groups struggle to cope
He said: “This is a time of brutality, impunity and indifference.” The aid chief lamented the ferocity of the killing, disregard for international law and horrific levels of sexual violence seen in 2025. He said the body is “overstretched, underfunded and under attack”.
The UN aims to raise US$23 billion to help 87 million people in the worst hit parts of the world, including Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti and Myanmar, but this would not be nearly enough. It estimates 240 million people are in need of emergency aid. This year, the fundraising appeal has fallen well short amid cuts in donations. The global UN appeal for this year was US$45 billion, but only US$12 billion has been received.
The United States remains the top donor, but the funding it provides was slashed from US$11 billion in 2024 to US$2.7 billion this year. This has set a bad example.
The Geneva-based humanitarian organisation’s president, Mirjana Spoljaric, called for states to put more effort into preventing conflicts, defending the rules of war and providing relief. The call should be heeded. “Failure to do so,” she added, “risks a world of ever more and greater suffering.” Aid organisations must ensure that their operations are efficient, donations safeguarded and that aid reaches the people for whom it is intended. Credibility is key. The UN has undertaken reforms aimed at ensuring greater efficiency.