UNHCR says funding shortfall puts 8.3 million displaced people at risk

The UN refugee agency on Tuesday in Geneva reported that nearly 8.3 million refugees and displaced people worldwide could soon access to aid and shelter.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said of the 8.5 billion dollars needed for this year, only 32 per cent had been secured.

“Falling funding levels are having a dramatic impact on enjoyment of a broad range of rights,’’ the agency said.

“In many contexts, underfunding is already causing the loss of essential services and systems that protect people forced to flee from violence, exploitation, exclusion, and other risks,’’ it added.

Many countries have cut their contributions to humanitarian efforts since 2025. At UNHCR, funding fell from 5.2 billion dollars in 2024 to 3.9 billion dollars in 2025.

The UNHCR said without funding, refugees could no longer be registered, safe accommodation could not be provided, and special protection for children would be neglected.

People who had fled violence, exploitation and abuse could end up in the hands of smugglers and human traffickers, it warned.