UN Aid Appeal Shrinks as Western Support Hits Decade Low

• The UN's humanitarian aid coordination office (OCHA) is downsizing its 2026 funding appeal to $33 billion after support, mainly from Western governments, plunged to a decade low of $15 billion in 2025.
• OCHA aims to help 135 million people in 2026, down from 190 million targeted in 2025, due to reduced funding.
• Key funding needs for 2026 include $4.1 billion for Palestinian areas, $2.9 billion for Sudan, and $2.8 billion for a regional plan around Syria.
• The funding shortfall in 2025 led to surging hunger, broken health systems, disease outbreaks, and cuts to essential programs, affecting millions.
• Donor fatigue is attributed to European security concerns, economic challenges, and increased defense spending, with OCHA noting global defense spending was $2.7 trillion last year.

Why It Matters: UN aid cuts due to reduced Western support threaten millions globally.