The United Nations has presented a Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Ukraine for 2024, requesting $4.2 billion to support war-affected communities, asylum seekers, and host communities. The plan targets 8.5 million people inside Ukraine and 2.3 million refugees and host communities in the region, aiming to provide urgent support and assistance to those affected by the ongoing conflict.
A heated debate erupted during a State Department press briefing as a senior Biden administration official defended the decision to release billions in unfrozen Iranian assets back to the regime in the form of waivers for humanitarian needs. The clash occurred when a reporter raised concerns that the additional funding could free up money for Iran to engage in hostile activities across the Middle East. The official argued that the Iranian regime would continue to spend money on destabilizing activities regardless, and that the waivers have been used for the benefit of the Iranian people. The two parties went back and forth, with the reporter expressing skepticism and the official maintaining that Iran prioritizes destabilization over the well-being of its people.
Six months after a devastating earthquake struck southeastern Türkiye and neighboring Syria, the humanitarian needs in the affected areas remain enormous. Thousands of people have lost their lives, tens of thousands have been injured, and infrastructure has been severely damaged. Elcin, who was trapped in the rubble for 81 hours, shares her harrowing experience and the ongoing struggles she faces living in a container. The psychological impact of the earthquake continues to affect many, and the town she lives in remains destroyed, with people relying on support for their basic needs. CARE is providing assistance to those affected, including water, food, shelter, and protection services.
The United Nations is facing a severe funding crisis, resulting in cuts to food aid, cash payments, and assistance to millions of people in many countries. The World Food Program (WFP) has seen donations plummet by about half, leaving them with only $5 billion out of the required $20 billion to deliver aid to everyone in need. This comes at a time when acute hunger is reaching record levels, with 345 million people acutely food insecure and hundreds of millions at risk of worsening hunger. The primary drivers of acute hunger are conflict, climate change, disasters, food price inflation, and mounting debt stress. WFP is urging traditional donors to step up and support them during this difficult time, while also seeking to diversify its funding base.
The United Nations is facing a severe funding crisis, resulting in cuts to food aid, cash payments, and assistance to millions of people in many countries. The World Food Program (WFP) has seen donations plummet by about half, leaving them with only $5 billion out of the required $20 billion to deliver aid to everyone in need. Conflict, climate change, disasters, food price inflation, and mounting debt stress are driving acute hunger, while funding is drying up. WFP is urging traditional donors to step up and support them during this difficult time, as ration cuts are not a sustainable solution.
