US Pledges $2bn Aid to UN but Warns 'Adapt or Die'

Picture courtesy of Martine Perret UN Photo/Martine Perret

The United States has pledged $2 billion (approx. 72 billion Thai baht) to the United Nations for humanitarian aid, but with a stern warning: the UN must "adapt or die." Jeremy Lewin, Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, and Tom Fletcher, the UN's emergency relief chief, made this announcement in Geneva. However, this funding comes with a clear message that the UN must adapt in the face of significant US budget cuts that are affecting global aid efforts.

Historically, the US has significantly contributed to UN humanitarian programmes, with $17 billion (approx. 612 billion Thai baht) in 2022 alone. The current pledge represents a marked reduction and signals similar cuts from other countries like the UK and Germany. Lewin's announcement also states that 17 chosen countries, including Haiti, Syria, and Sudan, will benefit from the funds, while others like Afghanistan and Yemen will not, due to concerns about fund misuse by groups like the Taliban.

Lewin deems projects related to climate change as not "life-saving" and therefore excludes them from the pledge. These restrictions challenge aid organisations working in excluded regions, resulting in the closure of critical services like mother-and- baby clinics in Afghanistan and reduced food rations in Sudan. The UN, meanwhile, makes the case for efficient aid initiatives, aligning with the US to avoid redundant projects.

Looking forward, the UN must navigate these new constraints while ensuring their humanitarian efforts adhere to essential principles: neutrality and impartiality. Lewin emphasised the need for efficiency, noting that careless financial use is detrimental to both aid organisations and the affected population. Despite concerns about politicisation risks, the UN acknowledges the significance of receiving any support amid ongoing economic challenges.

Key Takeaways

• US pledges $2bn to UN, warning of the need for adaptation.
• Funding excludes certain countries; concerns over efficiency arise.
• UN faces political pressures, balancing aid principles and new terms.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-12-30