"The United Nations' top human rights official says his office is struggling to operate after major funding cuts from donor governments, even as rights abuses escalate across the globe. Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said on Wednesday that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has $90m less than it needs this year. He told reporters the shortfall has already forced the loss of 300 jobs and reduced the organisation's ability to monitor violations around the world."
"Donor governments including Britain, the Netherlands and Sweden have pulled back on UN contributions and aid as they prioritise defence and domestic spending. A significant reduction has also come from the United States, where the administration of US President Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned the role of the UN, withdrawing from UN agencies and supporting a congressional rescission that removed funding for international organisations, including the UN."
"The warning from Turk comes as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which handles humanitarian aid and crisis response, launches a $23bn appeal for 2026 while also facing cuts of its own, acknowledging that a sharp drop in donor support means tens of millions of people in urgent need will be left without assistance. The largest request is for the occupied Palestinian territory, with $4bn mostly aimed at Gaza."
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights faces a $90m funding shortfall this year. The shortfall has caused the loss of 300 jobs and diminished the office's capacity to monitor rights violations worldwide. Donor governments including Britain, the Netherlands and Sweden have reduced UN contributions as they prioritize defence and domestic spending. The United States has significantly reduced funding amid administration skepticism and congressional rescission removing support for international organisations. OCHA has launched a $23bn appeal for 2026 while facing cuts, warning that tens of millions will be left without assistance, including a $4bn request mainly for Gaza.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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