⏱ 1 min read
Background
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) was created after the Second World War to protect people fleeing persecution. In 2026, the agency faces deep budget cuts.
The key points
Speaking to the executive committee in Geneva on 12 October 2026, High Commissioner Barham Salih warned that the asylum protection system is at risk of giving way. UNHCR has received only a third of the funds needed this year.
In Sudan, the funding shortfall threatens support for more than 50,000 survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. In Ethiopia, the registration of tens of thousands of refugees has been suspended.
Key figures
- Uprooted people worldwide: 117 million.
- Funds received in 2026: 3 billion dollars out of 8.5 billion needed.
- Emergencies handled since early 2026: 22, in 18 countries.
- Refugees dependent on aid in low- and middle-income countries: nearly 14.5 million.
What it means for businesses
UNHCR has parted with 8,000 staff since 2024. Host countries are expressing growing frustration at the lack of international solidarity.
Who says what
Barham Salih believes that beyond a certain threshold, efficiency gains no longer offset falling resources. In his words, "efficiency has its limits".
What's next
UNHCR aims to halve, by 2035, the number of refugees in protracted displacement who depend on humanitarian aid.
Further reading
Sources
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