UN, US Sign $2 Billion Relief Funding Deal for 17 Crisis-Hit Nations Worldwide
Landmark agreement to support UN’s 2026 humanitarian plan aims to save millions of lives amid escalating global crises
Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN and the United States on Monday formalized an agreement under which the US committed $2 billion in humanitarian assistance for global relief programmes, a move the top relief official hailed as a landmark commitment to saving lives amid escalating humanitarian needs worldwide.
UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher hailed the agreement and paid tribute to humanitarian workers operating under increasingly difficult conditions, described the past year as “a very, very tough year for everyone engaged in humanitarian action.”
He said that despite the challenges the agreement, known as a memorandum of understanding or MOU, offered grounds for optimism.
“Millions, millions more will get that support that they so badly need,” Mr. Fletcher said.
He added that the funding would help save tens of millions of lives in the year ahead.
The agreement covers 17 crisis-affected countries: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Ukraine, Haiti, Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Mozambique, Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Bangladesh, Syria, Uganda, Kenya and Chad, and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund.
Mr. Fletcher said the true impact of this “landmark agreement” would be its impact on the ground.
“A number that really matters is that millions of lives will be saved,” he said.
He noted that the funding supports the UN’s 2026 plan to reach 87 million people with emergency assistance.
That plan, he said, has been “hyper-prioritized” to reduce duplication, streamline bureaucracy and maximize efficiency across the humanitarian system.
The agreement is a major vote of confidence in the ‘Humanitarian Reset’ which Mr. Fletcher had announced in March 2025 to deliver aid faster, smarter and closer to people who need it most.
Mr. Fletcher emphasized that donors expect results, said accountability mechanisms would ensure that “every dollar we spend” is tracked to confirm that it is saving lives.
He also underlined that the agreement does not imply alignment on all issues but reflects a shared focus on urgent life-saving priorities.
Mr. Fletcher also highlighted the link between humanitarian action and diplomacy, called for 2026 to be “a year of diplomacy and peacemaking.”
He said ending conflicts remains the most effective way to reduce humanitarian need.
Mr. Fletcher concluded “This lifesaving announcement is not the end of the process.” “It is the beginning.”
