The United States is preparing to give the United Nations more than $1 billion for humanitarian efforts, the State Department announced. The department will be providing $218 million to the U.N. Children’s Fund and more than $800 million to the World Food Program.
“These awards replace the previous model of fragmented, duplicative individual grants that generated excessive overhead, created unpredictability for implementers, and diluted impact across many competing priorities,” the State Department said. “These awards reflect a new model of humanitarian assistance built on speed, accountability, measurable impact, and the elimination of bureaucratic waste. Implementers can mobilize quickly, in some cases within 24 hours, ensuring that U.S. taxpayer dollars reach those in need without delay.”
The funds are expected to advance UN reform, assist ongoing crises, and aid in rapid responses to disasters.
“At a time when needs are outpacing resources, this generous support from the United States is coming at a critical moment,” WFP’s Acting Executive Director Carl Skau said in a statement, adding, “We are grateful to the U.S. for empowering WFP to deliver when it matters most. These funds will go towards reaching people around the world – whether it’s scaling up our operations to push back on acute hunger in Lebanon, expanding cash assistance to displaced families in Haiti, or scaling vital food and logistics supply lines in Ebola-hit regions of DRC. We hope this commitment is joined by the international community. Together, we can stay ahead of hunger and save millions of lives.”
In May, the United States vowed to provide nearly $2 billion in aid for the United Nations’ humanitarian efforts. The $1.8 billion in aid, which builds upon a previous $2 billion announced in December, focused on “hyper-prioritized life-saving humanitarian assistance activities.”
