UN Chief Warns Global Humanitarian System at Breaking Point
"We meet in very difficult times," Guterres remarked at the High-Level Pledging Event for 2026 CERF, emphasizing that "humanitarian needs are rising" while "crises are multiplying."
He further warned that "the humanitarian system’s tank is running on empty, with millions of lives hanging in the balance."
Guterres highlighted the significance of CERF as the UN’s "flexible, first-responder fund," pointing out that "since 2006, it has provided nearly 10 billion US dollars in life-saving assistance in more than 100 countries, working with over 20 UN agencies and hundreds of partners and reaching tens of millions of people every year."
Emphasizing the fund's efficiency and dependability, he said: "CERF works, because it is fast, flexible and fair, often arriving before other sources of support," adding that "in many places, CERF has made the difference between life-saving help and no help at all."
However, the UN leader cautioned that the humanitarian system is now confronting its "greatest test," as donor contributions in 2025 have fallen "sharply, like never before."
He added that anticipated donations for the current year "are expected to be the lowest since 2015, a dangerous trend that weakens our ability to respond," resulting in preventable fatalities, starvation, and the disruption of critical services.
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