Experts Call for an Overhaul as Demand Surges and Funding Declines
The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated global humanitarian needs, with one in every 33 people requiring assistance in 2021—a 40% increase from the previous year, according to the UN. Many of the affected countries were already struggling with conflicts and natural disasters, making recovery even more difficult.
Even before the pandemic, funding for aid efforts was declining. In 2020, only 48% of the UN’s $38.5 billion appeal was met, compared to 63% of $29 billion in 2019. The situation worsened with budget cuts, including the UK’s reduction of aid spending from 0.7% to 0.5% of gross national income. This move is projected to result in 100,000 deaths, 1 million girls dropping out of school, and 5.6 million children missing vaccinations.
Experts argue that the crisis should serve as a wake-up call to reform an outdated donor-recipient model. With demand surpassing available resources, the aid sector must shift toward more sustainable and locally driven solutions to ensure long-term resilience in vulnerable communities.
