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GENEVA. – The United Nations has called for US$46 billion in funding for 2024 as it scrambles to get aid to millions hit by humanitarian crises around the globe.

The international institution has warned that the humanitarian aid sector facing funding crisis amid conflict and climate emergencies.

Noting the situations in the Palestinian territories, Sudan and Ukraine, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its Global Humanitarian Overview for 2024 that funding shortages mean it will only be able to provide aid to just over half of the nearly 300 million people that will require it next year

OCHA called the humanitarian outlook for 2024 “bleak,” warning that conflict, climate emergencies and collapsing economies are “wreaking havoc” on the most vulnerable people around the world.

And as the number and scale of crises mounts, the humanitarian aid system is facing a major funding crisis, OCHA said.

“In 2023, we received just over one-third of the US$57 billion required,” UN aid chief Martin Griffiths wrote in a statement. 

“This is the worst funding shortfall in years. Yet, we still managed to deliver life-saving assistance and protection to 128 million people around the world.”

“I think the Middle East as a whole, and Gaza and West Bank, is probably going to be the area of greatest need,” Griffiths said. “But Ukraine is going through desperate times and a war that will restart in full swing next year. It will need a lot of attention.” – Al Jazeera