The United Nations warned on Monday of a “gloomy” humanitarian situation in the world in 2024, due to the continuation of conflicts and climate conditions, calling for the need to raise about $46.4 billion to address its effects and repercussions on vulnerable groups.
At a time when international attention is focused on the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the United Nations pointed out that the Middle East region and countries such as Sudan and Afghanistan are among the troubled areas that need major humanitarian operations.
However, the UN agency has reduced the amount required for annual support and the number of people it hopes to help next year, after a decline in donations.
In this context, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Martin Griffiths said that “humanitarian workers are saving lives, fighting hunger, protecting children, preventing epidemics, and providing shelter and sanitation in many non-humanitarian contexts around the world.”
He added, “But the support required from the international community does not meet the needs.”
The United Nations launched a humanitarian appeal to raise $56.7 billion in 2023, but it received only 35% of this amount, in a deficit that was the largest in years. This allowed UN agencies to provide assistance and protection to 128 million people.
With less than a month to go until the end of 2023, it is likely that this year will be the first since 2010 in which total financial commitments will decline compared to the previous year.
