UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, welcomed the United States’ announcement of an additional $1.8 billion for global humanitarian operations.

The pledge, announced on Wednesday, lifted recent American humanitarian contributions through the UN-coordinated system to $3.8 billion.

This followed an earlier $2 billion allocation announced in December for emergency relief across several crises.

UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told journalists in New York that Guterres welcomed the latest contribution.

“This commitment will allow humanitarians to reach millions with lifesaving support in urgent crises,” Mr Haq said.

Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, described the funding as critical amid growing operational pressure.

“Humanitarian agencies are overstretched, under resourced and literally under attack. This support will help save millions of lives,” Fletcher said at UN Headquarters in New York.

Humanitarian agencies face mounting pressure from conflict, displacement, climate shocks and shrinking donor budgets worldwide.

Current estimates show about 239 million people require humanitarian assistance across the world.

Mr Fletcher said the first $2 billion tranche supported 14.4 million people during 2026. “That is a headline we should all celebrate,” he said.

The earlier package targeted 18 crises and tripled pooled humanitarian funding in affected countries.

Six of those emergencies began the year without any pooled funding. As of this week, $1.71 billion was already under implementation.

UN agencies and partners aim to reach more than 22 million people. More than six million people received food aid, while 10.4 million gained safe water.

Funding also supports 690 health facilities and assistance for 779,000 households.

Around 300,000 girls and 266,000 boys are receiving treatment for severe malnutrition.

Protection services for women and girls, including survivors of sexual violence, are also funded.

Mr Fletcher said reforms were improving efficiency, accountability and local decision-making.

“We have shown that we can deliver under challenging conditions. Our focus is securing remaining funds and delivering this ambitious plan,” Mr Fletcher said. 

(NAN)