Emma Farge
GENEVA (Reuters) – Faced with a record 32 billion-dollar humanitarian aid funding shortfall, the United Nations is mired in The plight runs deep into its emergency fund to support critical projects in countries including Myanmar and Mali.
Donors are giving more than ever at
UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that in crises around the world, needs are also Soaring because of unprecedented floods in Pakistan and famine warnings in Somalia.
“We know these are difficult times, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, budgets have been shrunk and we have seen a global recession,” OCHA spokesman Jens Laerke at a press conference in Geneva said.
“But demand is soaring. It’s out of control.”
The latest 100 million dollar withdrawal means OCHA has spent a record $1 billion from the Central Emergency Response Fund so far this year. Lark did not say how much was left. The fund enables the world agency to respond quickly to new humanitarian crises or underfunded emergencies without waiting for earmarked contributions.
Funding will be used for life saving projects including Myanmar and Mali, which are only available in 18%- and % – Funded. By contrast, Ukraine is one of the few countries where projects receive more than half of the funding, at 18%, according to OCHA.
Noting the late arrival of funding for the Horn of Africa and Pakistan crisis, Larke said some of the new funds would also be used “in anticipation of action in Niger” to Coping with the effects of drought.
“A common concern is that resources are usually mobilized only when disasters are at their peak, when suffering is at its worst and response becomes more expensive,” he added.
