The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, has sounded the alarm on a severe funding crisis facing the agency. With a huge funding shortfall and heavy displacement, Salih warned that the UNHCR is being "asked to do the impossible". The agency has had to slash its workforce due to budget cuts, while the number of forcibly displaced people remains near record highs. This comes as the UNHCR is currently forecasting funding of approximately $2.68 billion for 2027.
According to Salih, the UNHCR had $3 billion in funds available as of October 9, representing only 35 percent of the $8.5 billion needed for 2026. He emphasized that there is a difference between doing more with less and being asked to do the impossible. The UNHCR chief stressed that organizations struggling to survive cannot be expected to keep millions of others alive. The agency has responded to 22 emergency declarations in 18 countries this year, including 17 newly-declared emergencies in 15 countries.
The UNHCR has seen a significant reduction in its workforce, with nearly 8,000 people leaving the agency since 2024. This has brought the workforce down from nearly 20,000 to just under 12,000. Salih noted that the expertise that has left the agency cannot be easily replaced. The situation is further complicated by the fact that some 117.8 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced from their homes at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR.
The UNHCR's top donor in 2026 was the European Union, which contributed $408 million. Other major donors included Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Denmark. The United States, traditionally the world's top donor, was the ninth-biggest contributor with $89 million, down from $812 million the previous year. China donated $1.8 million, slightly less than private donors in the Philippines.
Salih emphasized that too often, what begins as a temporary solution for refugees becomes permanent, with children born in displacement settlements becoming adults there with children of their own. He stressed that the international community must work toward a future where one generation of refugees is not forced to pass its displacement to the next. This comes as the UNHCR's annual executive committee meeting got underway, which will run until Friday.
The UNHCR chief noted that the agency has seen a hereditary displacement, with many refugees facing a long-term displacement. He called on governments to recognize the budget pressures they face, but also to understand the importance of supporting the UNHCR. Salih's comments come as the international community grapples with the challenges of displacement and refugee crises.
The funding crisis facing the UNHCR has significant implications for the agency's ability to respond to refugee crises. With a reduced workforce and limited funding, the agency will struggle to provide adequate support to those in need. The international community will be watching closely to see how the UNHCR addresses these challenges and works to find solutions to the funding crisis.
Key points
- The UNHCR is facing a severe funding crisis, with a significant shortfall in funding for 2026 and 2027.
- The agency has had to slash its workforce due to budget cuts, while the number of forcibly displaced people remains near record highs.
- The UNHCR is calling on governments to support the agency and work toward a future where one generation of refugees is not forced to pass its displacement to the next.
