THE United Nations humanitarian aid co-ordination office is downsizing its appeal for annual funding in 2026 after support this year plunged to the lowest level in a decade.

The UN office for the co-ordination of humanitarian affairs said today it was seeking $33 billion (£25bn) to help some 135 million people cope with fallout from wars, climate disasters, earthquakes, epidemics and food shortages.

This year, it took in $15bn (£11bn), the lowest level in a decade.

The office says next year it wants more than $4.1bn (£3.1bn) to reach three million people in Palestinian areas, another $2.9bn (£2.2bn) for Sudan — home to the world’s largest displacement crisis — and $2.8bn (£2.1bn) for a regional plan around Syria.

OCHA chief Tom Fletcher said: “In 2025, hunger surged. Food budgets were slashed, even as famines hit parts of Sudan and Gaza. Health systems broke apart.

“Disease outbreaks spiked. Millions went without essential food, healthcare and protection. Programmes to protect women and girls were slashed, hundreds of aid organisations shut.”

The UN body sought $47bn (£35.8bn) for this year and aimed to help 190 million people worldwide. Because of the lower support, it reached 25 million fewer people this year than in 2024.

Mr Fletcher said: “I know budgets are tight right now. Families everywhere are under strain.

“But the world spent $2.7 trillion (£2trn) on defence last year — on guns and arms. And I’m asking for just over 1 per cent of that.”

He has called for “radical transformation” of aid by reducing bureaucracy, boosting efficiency and giving more power to local groups.

He added: “Do I want to shame the world into responding? Absolutely.

“But I also want to channel this sense of determination and anger that we have as humanitarians, that we will carry on delivering with what we get.”