UN Refugee agency's boss warns funding cuts will put millions of lives at risk
Last month, the United States, one of the agency’s biggest financiers, ordered a 90-day suspension of all foreign assistance, forcing the UNHCR to scale back its global aid operations.
UN Refugee Agency chief Filippo Grandi has issued a warning of imminent loss of life following the brutal cuts to aid for the agency, which provides life-saving assistance to over 122 million forcibly displaced people across 136 countries.
"With less funding, fewer staff, and a smaller UNHCR presence in countries hosting refugees, the equation is simple: lives will be lost," the official said in a statement.
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Last month, the United States, one of the agency’s biggest financiers, ordered a 90-day suspension of all foreign assistance, forcing the UNHCR to scale back its global aid operations.
As a result, a leaked internal memo revealed that Grandi had ordered an immediate clampdown on expenditure, including a 90-day delay in ordering new supplies except for emergencies, a hiring and contract freeze, and a halt to all international air travel, as the agency attempts to adapt to the US funding freeze.
As of December 31, 2023, the agency’s three largest donors were the United States (which accounted for a fifth of its total budget last year), Germany, and the European Union. Its largest government partners for unearmarked funds were Sweden, Norway, France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
Unearmarked funding forms the backbone of UNHCR’s operations globally, allowing the agency to respond to emergencies as they arise and ensuring that aid continues long after media attention fades.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed the donor freeze would not affect life-saving aid, which includes core medicine, medical services, shelter, subsistence assistance, and supplies. He added that the cuts were intended to target programmes involving abortion, family planning, and gender ideology. However, the initial impact of the funding freeze has affected all humanitarian assistance globally, with most organisations being forced to slow down operations pending a review of their programmes.
Grandi warns that funding cuts to the humanitarian sector are putting millions of lives at risk, with immediate and devastating consequences for those fleeing danger. The impact is already being felt, with refugee women and girls at extreme risk of rape and other abuse losing access to vital services, children being left without teachers or schools—pushing them into child labour, trafficking, or early marriage—and refugee communities having less access to shelter, water, and food.
"Slashing aid will make the world less safe, driving more desperate people to become refugees or to keep moving onwards," he added.
The agency has sought innovative and efficient ways to deliver its mission, making the most of every donation for those fleeing danger. However, it warns that the cost of inaction will be measured in suffering, instability, and lost futures.
"This is not just a funding shortfall – it is a crisis of responsibility. Over 90 per cent of our staff are on the front lines, delivering for affected communities," Grandi said.
Last year alone, UNHCR and its partners responded to 43 refugee emergencies. While its commitment to helping displaced people remains unwavering, it can only continue with sustained support.
"We appeal to Member States to honour their commitments to displaced people. Now is the time for solidarity, not retreat. We can identify and assist the most vulnerable, rapidly deploy when new emergencies arise, help stabilise fragile regions, and facilitate the safe return home of refugees," he implored.
In Kenya, UNHCR plays a crucial role in refugee management and has been central to the government’s plans to transition refugee camps into integrated settlements. These plans aim to promote the socio-economic inclusion of refugees while providing additional support to local Kenyan communities.
Part of the investment needed to bring this plan to fruition includes building amenities in host communities to reduce the strain on local resources, particularly as the refugee camps are located in historically marginalised areas.
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