It is the immediate priority of the $33 billion Global Humanitarian Overview 2026, launched on Monday, which aims to reach a total of 135 million people in 50 countries.
“This call indicates where we should focus our collective energy first: life after life.“, said UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher.
Millions in need
The updated GHO follows a year marked by sharp reductions in humanitarian operations and a record number of deadly attacks against aid workers.
It includes 29 detailed plans, the largest being that of the Occupied Palestinian Territorywhere $4.1 billion is needed to reach some three million people.
In Sudan$2.9 billion is needed to provide lifesaving assistance to 20 million people caught in the world’s largest displacement crisis, and another $2 billion for the seven million Sudanese who have fled the country.
The largest of the regional plans concerns Syriaat $2.8 billion for 8.6 million people.
Outages and consequences
Mr Fletcher recalled that the 2025 appeal received only $12 billion – the lowest funding in a decade. As a result, humanitarians reached 25 million fewer people than the previous year.
The consequences were immediate, including increased hunger and strained health systems – “even as famines hit parts of Sudan and Gaza,” he said at a press briefing ahead of this year’s launch.
“Programs aimed at protecting women and girls have been scaled back and hundreds of humanitarian organizations have been closed. And more than 380 aid workers have been killed – the highest number ever recorded..”
Humanitarians attacked
The UN relief chief described aid organizations as “overwhelmed, underfunded and under attack” – something he repeatedly stressed.
“Only 20 percent of our calls are sustained. And we drive the ambulance to the fire on your behalf,” he said.
“But we’re also now being asked to put out the fire. And there’s not enough water in the tank. And we’re being shot at.”
Support from Member States
Humanitarians will now make this appeal to UN member states and ask for their support.
This will happen over the next 87 days – “one for each of the millions of lives we will work to save,” he said.
Countries will also be invited to strengthen the protection of humanitarian workers,”not through statements of concern, but by demanding accountability from those who kill us – and from those who arm those who kill us.“, he added.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
