The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned that the reduction in humanitarian support could lead to the collapse of protection systems if not indefinitely reversed. According to the organization, below a certain threshold, services not only serve fewer people but may cease to function entirely, leaving the most vulnerable individuals unprotected.
Dominique Hyde, UNHCR's director of external relations, highlighted these risks during the release of a report based in Geneva, Switzerland. The document explains that the agency's capacity to provide assistance and protect refugees is being weakened by the increasing funding deficit, forcing the organization to reduce essential programs.
The agency's available financial resources dropped from $5.2 billion to $3.9 billion between 2024 and 2025, a direct result of decreased contributions. Furthermore, in July 2026, UNHCR had received only 32% of the $8.5 billion needed for that year, even while the number of people under its protection mandate remained at historically high levels.
This situation puts approximately 8.3 million people at risk of losing aid. Hyde emphasizes that when refugee registration is closed, reception centers close or child protection services cease, allowing original risks—such as violence, exploitation, and abuse—to resurface in displacement areas.
The agency cited several cases of stressed nations. In Chad, for example, 319,000 refugees are facing registration delays, which prevents them from accessing necessary documents for services and exposes them to the risk of detention. Without support, it is estimated that up to 200,000 women and girls in this country may lose access to safe spaces and prevention programs, while about 233,000 children may be left without protection services.
In Sudan, tens of thousands of survivors of sexual violence and children are in serious danger of losing access to vital care. Due to resource scarcity, UNHCR has been forced to set difficult priorities to maintain the most crucial activities. However, the persistence of the financial deficit affects even protection actions and the search for solutions considered a priority by the organization.
Budget cuts also hinder efforts to reduce dependence on humanitarian aid, as seen in Iraq, where about 350,000 refugees and asylum seekers risk losing opportunities for economic inclusion. In Syria, 162,500 internally displaced persons and returnees will not receive financial assistance due to lack of funds. In Afghanistan, UNHCR points out that reintegration subsidies have benefited only 175 families since the beginning of 2026, compared to 5,300 in 2024, and issues an urgent appeal to donors and partners.