The United Nations (UN) has projected that by 2024, a staggering 300 million people across 72 countries will require urgent humanitarian assistance due to the compounding impact of climate change, displacement, and conflict, pushing them to the brink of famine.
The Global Humanitarian Overview for 2024 reveals a critical need for $46 billion in funding to address the escalating crises gripping various regions globally. The report identifies areas in dire need, including the occupied Palestinian territories, Sudan, and Ukraine, according to Reuters Africa.
UN aid chief Martin Griffiths emphasized the urgency of targeting 181 million of the projected 300 million individuals in need, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The report from the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlights a substantial funding crisis, with just over one-third of the required $57 billion for aid provision secured in the preceding year, marking a critical shortfall.
“We will target for our specific needs, for the agencies that I represent, 181 million of those 300,” stated U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths. He characterized the financial gap as the “worst funding shortfall in years.” He acknowledged the challenge of scaling down the appeal for 2024 while ensuring that aid agencies adopt a realistic, focused, and persistent approach to evaluating requirements.
The Middle East, particularly Gaza and the West Bank, is expected to be a focal point for aid efforts, with Griffiths expressing the anticipation of this region registering the highest demand. Simultaneously, he underscored the urgency of directing attention to Ukraine, facing desperate times and a looming resurgence of full-scale conflict in the coming year, necessitating substantial aid interventions.
Recognizing the critical nature of the situation, Griffiths highlighted that various organizations, including the Red Cross and national Red Cross societies, have initiated their funding appeals to address the widespread humanitarian challenges confronting the global community collectively.
