Geneva: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned on Friday that 11.6 million refugees and internally displaced persons are at risk of losing humanitarian aid due to reduced contributions from donor countries.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the agency reported that this figure represents one-third of the refugees it supports. It added that only 23% of its $10.6 billion funding requirements have been met for the year.
Dominique Hyde, Director of External Relations at UNHCR, highlighted the funding situation as 'critical', indicating that millions could lose access to essential assistance.
The agency has already suspended $1.4 billion worth of programmes, encompassing medical, education, shelter, and nutrition support in countries such as Sudan, Chad, and Afghanistan. Furthermore, emergency relief supplies have been reduced by 60%, and global operations have been scaled back by 30%, putting 3,500 jobs at risk.