The new head of the U.N. humanitarian aid agency, Tom Fletcher, has pledged to be “ruthless” in prioritizing spending due to a funding crisis impacting aid to war zones like Gaza, Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine.
Fletcher, who took office last month, stated that his agency would request less money in 2025 than it did this year. He emphasized the need to focus resources on the most critical needs as global crises persist.
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has launched a global appeal for $47 billion to assist 190 million people across 32 countries, though it estimates that 305 million worldwide require help.
Many aid organizations, including the Red Cross, have seen donations decrease in recent years, affecting ongoing crises in Syria, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Sudan, as well as access difficulties in places like Gaza.
Fletcher warned that with the funding shortfall, the U.N. was forced to make tough decisions, such as an 80% reduction in food aid for Syria, and stressed the importance of prioritizing aid where it would have the greatest impact.
