Nearly 8.3 million refugees and forcibly displaced people could lose access to vital assistance this year as severe funding shortages continue to undermine the United Nations refugee agency’s operations.
The UNHCR said it is facing a $5.789 billion funding gap after available funding fell by 24% between 2024 and 2025. By the end of July, the agency had received only 32% of the $8.505 billion it needs for its 2026 operations.
The funding crisis is already affecting refugee registration, child protection and support for survivors of gender-based violence in countries hosting large displaced populations.
In Chad, about 319,000 refugees face registration delays, while around 200,000 women and girls could lose access to safe spaces and prevention programmes. In Sudan, about 140,000 refugees and asylum seekers remained unregistered by mid-year after registration activities were suspended for several months.
The agency has already reduced its workforce, closed offices in several locations and discontinued operations in 15 countries compared with 2024.
UNHCR warned that further reductions could weaken protection systems to the point where essential services stop functioning, leaving vulnerable populations exposed to violence, exploitation and abuse.
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