Humanitarian Aid Shortfall
In 2024, the U.N. will raise just 46% of the $49.6 billion it sought for global aid—the second consecutive year it has collected less than half of its target. This funding gap forces difficult choices, such as cutting food rations and reducing the number of beneficiaries. In Syria, for example, the World Food Program (WFP) scaled back its efforts from feeding 6 million people to only 1 million. According to Rania Dagash-Kamara, WFP’s assistant executive director, the situation has become a grim exercise of “taking from the hungry to feed the starving.”
Growing Challenges
The U.N. attributes the crisis to widespread conflict, political instability, and extreme weather, all of which exacerbate food insecurity. “We’ve been forced to scale back appeals to those in the most dire need,” said Tom Fletcher, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.
The situation is compounded by financial pressures in donor countries. Germany, one of the largest contributors, has already reduced its humanitarian aid by $500 million for 2024 and is considering another $1 billion cut in 2025. In the United States, President-elect Donald Trump’s forthcoming administration has raised concerns about potential foreign aid reductions, a priority during his previous term.
Disproportionate Burden on a Few Donors
The U.S., Germany, and the European Commission provide 58% of the U.N.’s global humanitarian funding. In contrast, major economies like China, Russia, and India collectively contribute less than 1% of aid tracked by the U.N. between 2020 and 2024. This disparity has drawn criticism from global humanitarian leaders. Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, highlighted the inconsistency of countries investing in prestige projects, such as space programs and international events, while contributing minimal support for starving populations.
China’s representatives argue that feeding its own population of 1.4 billion is a significant contribution to global food security, while India’s government has not commented on the issue.
Aid Delays and Restrictions
When funding does arrive, it is often delayed or comes with stringent conditions that limit flexibility. For instance, many donor countries require that aid be earmarked for specific initiatives or branded with their logos. The U.S., the largest donor to the WFP, places restrictions on nearly all its contributions. Critics argue that these stipulations slow responses to crises, while donors claim they are necessary to prevent fraud and misuse.
Corruption within the aid system further complicates relief efforts. Recent reports highlight mismanagement and fraud in aid distribution in countries like Ethiopia and Sudan, leading donors to impose stricter oversight.
Calls for Reform
Experts and U.N. officials have called for fundamental changes in the global humanitarian funding model. Former U.N. humanitarian relief chief Martin Griffiths suggested diversifying funding sources, while U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres previously proposed a mandatory fee system for member states to finance humanitarian aid. Such a system could provide more predictable and flexible resources for addressing crises.
Without significant reform, the U.N. and its partners warn that global hunger will continue to worsen, leaving millions without the help they desperately need.
