UN launches $33bn humanitarian appeal for 2026, allocates $64.9m to support 1.9m vulnerable people in Pakistan

The United Nations and its partners have launched the 2026 Global Humanitarian Appeal, earmarking $64.9 million to assist 1.9 million vulnerable people in Pakistan as part of a $33 billion plan to address life-threatening crises caused by conflicts, climate disasters, epidemics, earthquakes and crop failures around the world.

According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the immediate priority for 2026 is to mobilise $23 billion to save 87 million lives through 23 country operations and six regional plans for refugees and migrants. The full “2026 Response Plan,” titled Life by Life, aims to support 135 million people across 50 countries.

UNOCHA noted that despite severe funding cuts and rising risks for aid workers, humanitarian agencies reached 98 million people in 2025. However, overall funding fell to $12 billion, its lowest level in a decade, resulting in 25 million fewer people receiving assistance compared to 2024.

Under the 2026 appeal, the largest individual funding request is for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, where $4.1 billion is needed to help 3 million people affected by extensive violence and destruction. Sudan, facing the world’s largest displacement crisis, requires $2.9 billion to support 20 million people. The Syria regional plan seeks $2.8 billion to reach 8.6 million people.

The UN highlighted that humanitarian systems were severely strained over the past year, with more than 320 aid workers—mostly local staff—killed amid escalating conflict. As a result, hunger surged, health services faltered, education systems collapsed, mine-clearance operations stalled and millions were left without shelter, cash assistance or protection.

Launching the appeal, UN Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher said the new plan is designed to respond to the most urgent needs while improving the effectiveness of humanitarian action. “This appeal sets out where we need to focus our collective energy first: life by life,” he said. 

“We are shifting power to local organisations, putting more money directly into the hands of those who need it, and renewing humanitarian action with idealism, humility and hope.”