• UN scales back its global humanitarian aid amidst critical funding cuts.
• The organization is now seeking $29 billion instead of the previously requested $44 billion.
• Tom Fletcher describes the situation as a "triage of human survival" due to severe funding shortages.

The United Nations announced significant reductions to its global humanitarian aid operations due to what it describes as the "deepest funding cuts ever." The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated it is now appealing for $29 billion in funding, a drastic decrease from the $44 billion originally requested in December. This shift comes as the UN faces increasing humanitarian needs in regions like Sudan, Gaza, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among others, where assistance is most critical, according to Indiatimes and The Jakarta Post.

According to Tom Fletcher, the head of OCHA, the funding crisis stems from substantial cuts made by the United States, historically the largest donor, under President Donald Trump's administration, which has faced bipartisan support from other countries citing economic uncertainties. Fletcher characterized the funding situation, stating, "Brutal funding cuts leave us with brutal choices," and emphasized a need for global solidarity to alleviate suffering, as reported by Al Jazeera and Dawn.

As of mid-2025, the UN has only received about $5.6 billion, which is a mere 13 percent of the total requested funding. This shortfall means that OCHA is now required to prioritize aid distribution strictly to the most urgent crises, compelling it to implement a “hyper-prioritised” plan aimed at supporting those in the most desperate conditions. Fletcher lamented, "We have been forced into a triage of human survival... Too many people will not get the support they need," underscoring the dire consequences of inadequate funding, according to Indiatimes and Al Jazeera.

The reduction in aid has cascading effects, with reports indicating substantial job cuts within humanitarian organizations. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced it would have to terminate approximately 3,500 jobs as part of a major cost-cutting effort due to diminished funding. They highlighted that this drastic action is essential to cope with the shortage while attempting to still address the needs of nearly 190 million vulnerable individuals worldwide, as noted by The Jakarta Post and Dawn.