The US pledged $2 billion for UN humanitarian programs. The announcement was made in Geneva by US Under Secretary Jeremy Lewin and UN emergency relief chief Tom Fletcher. Lewin warned the UN it must "adapt or die."
The funding prioritizes 17 countries, including Haiti, Syria, and Sudan. Afghanistan and Yemen will not receive funds. The US cited evidence of UN funds being diverted to the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Fletcher welcomed the $2 billion, saying it would save "millions of lives." However, this is significantly less than the $17 billion the US contributed in 2022. Further funding cuts are expected from other donors, including the UK and Germany.
This pledge comes amid substantial cuts in US humanitarian aid. The US traditionally has been a major donor to UN humanitarian efforts. The US is demanding greater accountability from the UN.
The UN must now decide how to allocate the funds. The organization faces pressure to reform its operations. Future funding from the US will likely depend on these reforms.
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