The United States has announced a $2 billion pledge for UN humanitarian programs, even as President Trump’s administration continues to reduce overall US foreign aid. The pledge is part of a push to change how the United Nations delivers aid, with US officials warning agencies to “adapt, shrink, or die” under new financial realities.
The $2 billion will create a central fund from which money can be distributed to individual UN agencies and projects. While much smaller than past US contributions, which have reached up to $17 billion annually, officials said it is still a generous amount and maintains the US as the world’s largest humanitarian donor.
The Trump administration has already cut billions in foreign aid, prompting UN agencies like the World Food Program, UNHCR, and the International Organization for Migration to slash projects, reduce spending, and lay off staff. Other traditional Western donors have also reduced contributions this year.
The new approach aims to consolidate aid through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), led by Tom Fletcher, a former British diplomat. Under this plan, Fletcher’s office will control how funds are distributed, creating a more efficient and accountable system. US officials say the goal is to deliver more aid with fewer tax dollars while aligning aid spending with US foreign policy priorities.
The $2 billion pledge is intended to fund OCHA’s annual appeal, which has already been reduced due to shrinking contributions. The plan targets 17 countries initially, including Bangladesh, Congo, Haiti, Syria, and Ukraine. Some regions, such as Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories, will receive separate funding outside this fund.
US officials say the reforms are necessary to reduce bureaucratic overhead, unnecessary duplication, and ideological spending in UN agencies. The State Department emphasized that humanitarian agencies perform some of the UN’s most critical work, making them the priority for these changes.
Fletcher praised the agreement, saying the United States is demonstrating its role as a humanitarian superpower and offering hope to people affected by crises worldwide.
