The United Nations announced Friday it is reducing humanitarian aid targets in Yemen and Somalia due to a steep funding decline.
Officials warned the cuts could endanger millions globally, as agencies struggle to respond to escalating needs with shrinking resources.
In Yemen, the UN had initially appealed for $2.4 billion to assist 10.5 million people, despite 19.5 million being in need.
Facing financial shortfalls, the UN and its partners revised priorities, now focusing on 8.8 million people with a $1.4 billion budget.
Somalia has seen similar reductions, with an original $1.4 billion plan for 4.6 million people scaled back to $367 million for just 1.3 million.
UN spokeswoman Stephanie Tremblay stressed the needs have not diminished—only the means to meet them have.
She warned that funding gaps are forcing cutbacks across critical aid programmes, jeopardising lives in crisis zones.
“If we fail to deliver, millions more people will be acutely hungry and lack access to clean water, education, and protection,” she said.
The shift mirrors recent aid strategy changes in Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of Congo, amid a broader resource crisis.
UN agencies are also reducing global operations and staff as they contend with declining member contributions.
Notably, U.S. support has dropped significantly under the administration of President Donald Trump, affecting overall humanitarian capacity.
With each dollar stretched thinner, the UN faces a stark reality: fewer hands to help, and more lives left in the balance.
