International UN Emergency Relief Office expects 305 million people in need next year

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that around 305 million people will be in need in 2025. This represents an increase of five million people compared to 2024.

The need to help them is estimated at 47.4 billion dollars. Despite the growing crises and conflicts, OCHA is unable to increase its planned aid for 2025. So far, only just over 40 percent of the requested funds have been collected for 2024.

While some countries need more, six no longer need any money at all from the global emergency aid plan, reported the office in Geneva. "In a world on fire, the most vulnerable are paying the highest price: children, women, people with disabilities and the poor," said the new UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher. "We need a new level of global solidarity."

Not enough funds for comprehensive aid in Syria, Yemen and Chad

According to OCHA, food aid for Syria was cut this year due to a lack of money, in Yemen with many cholera outbreaks there was not enough for better drinking water and sanitation, and in Chad not enough could be done to combat hunger. A lack of donations means that only 116 of the planned 180 million people can be reached.

OCHA sees the greatest need in the coming year in Syria and neighboring countries as well as in Sudan. The Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, Ukraine and Myanmar are also among the crises for which OCHA needs particularly large amounts of money.

SDA