Afghanistan, Sept. 29 -- The United Nations refugee agency has warned that a severe funding crisis could leave nearly 8.3 million refugees and forcibly displaced people without access to essential assistance this year, as donor contributions fall sharply and humanitarian needs continue to rise.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is facing a funding shortfall of $5.789 billion for 2026. By July, the agency had received only 32 percent of the $8.505 billion it said it needed for the year. Funding available to UNHCR fell by about 24 percent between 2024 and 2025, according to a new 26-page report reviewed by Reuters.
UNHCR said the funding cuts are already affecting core protection services, including refugee registrationnce for s...