The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has warned of a significant shortfall in global humanitarian aid funding. During the opening of a United Nations Human Rights Council Session on Tuesday, Turk revealed that humanitarian appeals received only 16.1 per cent of their required funding, leaving a staggering $40.8 billion gap. This concerning situation comes against a backdrop of record-high global military spending, with an estimated $2.5 trillion allocated in 2023, representing a 6.8 per cent increase from the previous year. Turk highlighted that this marked the steepest year-on-year increase since 2009. Adding to the grim picture, the UN rights chief expressed alarm at the escalating number of civilian deaths in armed conflicts around the world. Data compiled by his office indicated a staggering 72 per cent surge in civilian deaths during 2023. Furthermore, the proportion of women killed in armed conflicts doubled in 2023, while the number of children killed tripled, raising profound concerns about the devastating impact on vulnerable populations.
UN Warns of $40.8 Billion Funding Gap for Humanitarian Aid Amid Soaring Military Spending
