‘Money alone won’t get us there’: UN steps up aid for 12 forgotten crises

KUALA LUMPUR, 4 OCTOBER 2026 —

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher announced on Friday that the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will release US$160 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to sustain life‑saving assistance in 12 of the world’s most under‑funded crises.

Fletcher stressed that financing alone will not guarantee delivery of aid. “We have 87 million people to reach, and no time to waste,” he said, adding that “today’s new funding will help us get aid to people who might otherwise be left behind.

But money alone won’t get us there: leaders must exercise political will to open access, remove obstacles and help us reach people whose lives are on the line.” The statement underscores the UN’s view that diplomatic engagement and the removal of logistical barriers are as critical as cash in humanitarian operations.

The 12 crises selected for the new CERF allocation include five contexts that Fletcher has repeatedly flagged for urgent diplomatic action: Afghanistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, South Sudan, Sudan and Yemen. He said that unlocking political access in these five locations would enable assistance for an additional 11 million people who are currently cut off from humanitarian aid.

The remaining seven crises, while not named in the release, are part of the broader group of emergencies that together account for the 87 million people targeted by the fund.

In parallel with the cash injection, the UN announced a dedicated US$10 million tranche to support people with disabilities across the same 12 crises. The funding is designed to ensure that assistance is inclusive and reaches persons with disabilities, who often face heightened barriers in conflict‑affected and disaster‑stricken settings. The UN Global Disability Fund will contribute up to US$4 million in additional financing and technical assistance through its Inclusion Catalyst Hub.

Part of this support will be used to strengthen local organisations of people with disabilities and to enhance their participation in the humanitarian response.

CERF, which is managed by OCHA, is described as one of the fastest funding tools available for under‑funded emergencies. Allocations are based on an analysis of more than 100 humanitarian indicators and are the result of extensive consultation with partners on the ground.

The fund’s rapid‑disbursement capability allows it to channel resources quickly to where they are most needed, a feature that Fletcher highlighted as essential for addressing the time‑sensitive nature of the 12 selected crises.

The Friday release brings the total CERF allocations for 2026 to US$483 million. Since its establishment by the UN General Assembly in 2005, the Central Emergency Response Fund has mobilised approximately US$10.2 billion, reaching hundreds of millions of people in more than 117 countries and territories. The fund’s financing comes from contributions by 135 UN Member States and observers, as well as private donors and individuals.

Its annual funding target remains US$1 billion, a benchmark that reflects the scale of global humanitarian need.

Fletcher’s appeal for political will comes against a backdrop of protracted conflicts and complex emergencies that have strained traditional aid channels. In Afghanistan, for example, restrictions on humanitarian convoys and limited access to certain provinces have hampered the delivery of food and medical supplies. In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, movement restrictions and security concerns continue to impede the flow of assistance to vulnerable populations.

South Sudan and Sudan are both grappling with ongoing civil strife and displacement, while Yemen remains locked in a multi‑year war that has devastated health, food and water systems. By highlighting these five contexts, Fletcher signalled that diplomatic breakthroughs could unlock assistance for millions more.

The inclusion component of the new funding reflects a growing recognition within the UN system that people with disabilities are disproportionately affected by crises and often excluded from mainstream humanitarian programmes. The UN Global Disability Fund’s involvement aims to bring technical expertise and additional resources to ensure that shelters, health services, nutrition programmes and cash assistance are accessible to all.

Strengthening local disability organisations is intended to build capacity for community‑led response, a strategy that aligns with broader UN efforts to promote localisation of aid.

The release of the US$160 million also marks a significant step for the broader humanitarian financing architecture. While CERF’s annual target of US$1 billion remains unmet, the fund’s ability to mobilise large sums quickly is increasingly relied upon by agencies such as the World Food Programme, UNICEF and the World Health Organization, which depend on CERF allocations to fill funding gaps in acute emergencies.

The new disbursement will likely be earmarked for a mix of food aid, health interventions, water and sanitation, shelter, and cash‑based assistance, although the specific programme breakdown was not detailed in the announcement.

Regional actors are expected to play a role in facilitating access to the five highlighted crises. Neighboring countries and regional organisations have the capacity to negotiate safe passages, provide logistical support and host cross‑border humanitarian corridors. While the UN statement did not name any specific partners, the call for “leaders must exercise political will” implies an appeal to both national governments and regional bodies to act swiftly.

The announcement comes as the global humanitarian community prepares for a challenging year, with climate‑related disasters, protracted conflicts and economic downturns converging to increase demand for aid. The UN’s emphasis on both financial resources and political solutions reflects an integrated approach that seeks to address the root causes of aid bottlenecks.

By pairing a substantial cash injection with a targeted inclusion fund and a clear diplomatic agenda, the UN aims to maximise the impact of its limited resources.

Fletcher concluded by reiterating the urgency of the situation: “We have 87 million people to reach, and no time to waste.” The next steps involve mobilising the released funds, coordinating with partner agencies on the ground, and engaging with governments and regional actors to secure the access needed for aid delivery.

The UN’s message is that while the new funding provides a vital lifeline, the ultimate success of the response will depend on the willingness of political leaders to open roads, borders and corridors for humanitarian assistance.

Related: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)