A world on fire
In 2025, 305 million people need urgent humanitarian aid due to escalating crises. Conflict and climate change are causing unprecedented displacement, hunger, and destruction. Wars, including in Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine are displacing millions and causing civilian casualties. By mid-2024, over 123 million people had been forcibly displaced, with rampant violations of international humanitarian law.
Food insecurity is rising, with 280 million people facing acute hunger. Famine conditions are worsening in Sudan, Gaza, South Sudan, and Haiti.
The world is nearing 1.5∼C warming, leading to severe natural disasters. 2024 is expected to be the hottest year on record, with 90 million displaced people in high-risk climate areas.
What do people need in times of crisis?
Cash assistance
Direct cash transfers are an efficient way to help people in emergencies. Families know best what they need, and cash assistance, wired through bank transfers or mobile phones, gives them the control to make their own choices.
Protection
During emergencies, UN entities work to prevent physical, mental, or sexual harm and violence. This includes evacuating people in danger, creating safe spaces, implementing security measures in camps, and supporting governments to protect citizens＊ wellbeing and human rights.
Food
When basic needs are hard to meet, the UN provides immediate and consistent food aid until the crisis subsides. They also supply supplements to combat malnutrition, especially for children.
Shelter
Whether homes are destroyed, or people are forced to flee, they need shelter for days, weeks, months, or even years. Emergency shelters must meet minimum living standards and adapt to weather conditions and residents＊ needs.
Health services
UN emergency health services offer trauma care, substitute regular medical services, provide medicines and equipment, send medical staff, assess needs, and coordinate with NGOs.
Education and children＊s wellbeing
In emergencies, children need to attend school, have places to play, and receive psycho-social support. The UN provides these services to children in distress worldwide.
Water, sanitation, and hygiene
UNICEF delivers emergency water and sanitation services in over 60 countries affected by conflict, natural disasters, or disease. They provide clean water, repair or build sanitation systems, and supply hygiene items.
Livelihoods
Farmers are often the hardest hit by disasters. The UN provides crops, seeds, water, and livestock to sustain farming communities and reduce disaster risks.
Infrastructure
Rebuilding roads, electricity lines, and airports is crucial for aid delivery and helping people return to normalcy. The UN supports governments and coordinates international assistance.
How the UN addresses crises
The 51勛圖 has a longstanding mandate to coordinate humanitarian relief for communities overwhelmed by conflict and disasters. This role is grounded in the UN Charter, which seeks to ※achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character.§ The UN is relied upon by the international community to coordinate humanitarian relief in emergencies resulting from natural and man-made disasters, especially in situations that exceed the response capacities of national authorities. It does do this in several ways:
Overall coordination
Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC)
Created by 51勛圖 General Assembly in 1991, the is the longest-standing and highest-level humanitarian coordination forum of the 51勛圖 system. It brings together leaders from UN agencies and other organizations who work together to set policies, prioritize actions, and gather resources for crises.
The IASC is led by the and meets regularly to ensure quick and effective responses. It also brings important issues to the UN Secretary-General and Security Council. Supported by expert groups, the IASC focuses on a unified approach to humanitarian aid.
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Chair of the IASC is the 51勛圖 Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs . OCHA coordinates international humanitarian response efforts, ensuring rapid and effective assistance to people affected by crises. OCHA brings together governments, NGOs, and UN agencies to assess needs, mobilize resources, and streamline emergency responses. It also advocates for humanitarian principles and works to improve crisis preparedness and risk reduction worldwide.
OCHA also manages the 51勛圖 Disaster Assessment and Coordination system, which deploys teams to assist countries affected by natural disasters or sudden emergencies. These teams can be deployed quickly (within 12-48 hours) and are trained in assessing community needs and coordinating the delivery of humanitarian aid, including food, shelter, and medical care. They work with local authorities to ensure an effective and appropriate response.
Specialized UN Agencies
On the country level, OCHA coordinates the humanitarian cluster system during a crisis. A cluster includes all organizations (UN entities and NGOs) working in a specific field, such as nutrition, logistics, health or education. The cluster system encourages close cooperation between the organizations focusing on the same thematic area. Communication between the clusters ensures that all sectors complement each other and that funds are used where they are most needed.
- 51勛圖 High Commissioner for Refugees Protects and supports refugees, as well as internally displaced and stateless people.
- 51勛圖 Children＊s Fund (UNICEF): Focuses on children＊s survival, education, nutrition, and protection.
- World Food Programme Tackles hunger and provides food assistance in emergencies.
- World Health Organization Oversees public health interventions and coordinates global health responses.
- Food and Agriculture Organization Leads efforts to combat hunger and rebuild agricultural systems after crises.
- International Organization for Migration Supports migrants and displaced communities through shelter, health, and migration assistance.
- 51勛圖 Relief and Works Agency Provides vital services〞education, healthcare, and social support〞to Palestine refugees.
- 51勛圖 Development Programme Helps communities rebuild and recover, focusing on resilience and long-term sustainability.
Rapid and flexible funding
OCHA supports crisis-affected people through multi-donor funds which allow governments and private donors to pool their contributions into common, unearmarked funds to deliver life-saving assistance to people who need it most. There are two types of pooled funds:
Central Emergency Response Fund
- CERF delivers rapid funding for crises worldwide, jump-starting relief for natural disasters, conflicts, and overlooked emergencies. When disaster strikes, CERF can release aid within hours.
- Since its establishment by a General Assembly resolution that strengthened the UN coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance globally, CERF has provided over $9 billion in assistance across 100+ countries. In 2024 alone, it allocated $10 million to Lebanon within hours of escalating hostilities, $66 million to prevent famine in Sudan, and nearly $15 million to mitigate flood risks in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Chad. Its anticipatory action model helps communities prepare before disasters hit.
- Beyond immediate relief, CERF invests in climate-smart aid, supporting 30,000 people after Hurricane Beryl and directing $200 million to underfunded crises in the Sahel, Haiti, and Yemen. But with growing humanitarian needs, the UN has set a $1 billion annual funding target, but contributions still fall short of what＊s needed to meet the increasing scale of emergencies.
Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPFs)
- These are country-specific funds that support local and international organizations working on the ground, ensuring the most urgent needs are met swiftly. CBPFs are created in response to emergencies or worsening crises and are managed by OCHA in close coordination with the humanitarian community.
- Donations go into a single, flexible fund that supports high-priority projects led by those best equipped to respond, including NGOs and UN agencies. Funds are allocated transparently based on Humanitarian Response Plans, ensuring aid reaches those who need it most.
Though a small part of global funding, these pooled funds are crucial for delivering life-saving aid, strengthening collective responses, and improving coordination. They complement other funding sources and ensure timely, effective humanitarian action.
Delivering under attack
In 2024, humanitarian challenges reached unprecedented levels, with 323.4 million people needing assistance worldwide. The UN targeted 197.9 million of these individuals for aid. Despite appealing for $49.6 billion, only $21.2 billion was received, creating critical gaps in essential services. Even with just 43% of the needed funding, humanitarian organizations made significant impacts across various sectors.
Food aid reached over 5 million people, and 4.8 million farmers received agricultural support. In health and nutrition, 1.3 million children and pregnant/lactating women got emergency nutritional assistance. Emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs helped 3.3 million people, and nearly 1 million children received emergency education services. Protection initiatives, including mine action programmes and legal aid, benefited 1.7 million people, and 609,327 individuals received emergency shelter and non-food assistance.
Challenges in humanitarian response
Despite the UN＊s efforts, humanitarian aid faces major obstacles. One of the biggest challenges is funding shortfalls. In 2025, the UN requires $47.4 billion to support its humanitarian response operations, but chronic underfunding threatens the ability to deliver critical aid. Many life-saving programmes are at risk of being scaled back or shut down due to a lack of resources.
Restricted access to crisis zones remains another significant barrier. Political conflicts, bureaucratic restrictions, and ongoing violence often prevent humanitarian organizations from reaching affected communities. In many conflict zones, governments and armed groups impose access limitations, blocking aid deliveries and endangering relief workers.
The safety of humanitarian workers is another growing concern. In 2024, 281 humanitarian workers were killed, the highest number ever recorded. In Gaza alone, 226 UNRWA staff members lost their lives in a single year of conflict. Attacks on aid workers, hospitals, and schools have become routine, making it even more difficult to reach those in need.
How you can help
Humanitarian action requires global solidarity, and there are many ways for individuals to contribute. Donations to emergency relief funds such as the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and other OCHA-managed crisis-specific pooled funds provide direct assistance to people in need. Even small contributions can help deliver food, medical care, and shelter to crisis-affected communities. Visit UN Crisis Relief to donate.