UNHCR Budget Cuts Could Deny Aid to Millions of Refugees, Agency Warns
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned that the worsening financial crisis facing the agency could leave nearly 8.3 million refugees and forcibly displaced people without essential aid by the end of this year.
According to a new report by the agency, UNHCR is facing a funding shortfall of $5.789 billion. It said available funding for the period between 2024 and 2025 has fallen by about 24%.
UNHCR said that by July it had received only 32% of the $8.505 billion it needs for 2026, while the number of people requiring its support remains at a record high.
The agency said the funding cuts could seriously endanger refugee registration, child protection and services for survivors of gender-based violence. UNHCR also warned that if the situation continues, the refugee support system will be further weakened.
The report said cash assistance for people returning to Afghanistan has been reduced from $375 to $170 per person. Afghanistan has received more than one million returnees this year from neighbouring countries, including Iran and Pakistan.
UNHCR also said it cut its workforce by 33% in 2025 to contain costs and has scaled back or suspended activities in several countries and around 140 locations.
UNHCR is the main UN agency for refugees and is responsible for supporting asylum seekers, forcibly displaced people and returnees. The funding cuts come at a time when humanitarian needs in Afghanistan and several countries in the region remain high.
