In a world marked by escalating conflicts and displacement, the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has announced a landmark achievement: donor governments have pledged an unprecedented US$1.143 billion to support UNHCR programmes in 2025. Complemented by $355 million from private sector National Partners, this totals $1.5 billion — covering 15% of anticipated needs for the year.
Switzerland reaffirmed its commitment to flexible funding, a critical resource that enables rapid responses to emergencies and underfunded situations. Such support aligns with the Swiss tradition of humanitarian aid and international solidarity.
The United States led the global pledges with $200 million, followed by Denmark and Sweden. Notable increases from countries like Germany and the Netherlands were also recorded. Switzerland, alongside countries like Norway and Australia, showed once again their strong support by pledging flexible funding, which enables UNHCR to quickly deliver aid in new emergencies and to respond to underfunded situations.
At the UNHCR pledging conference, governments committed $283 million in funding for 2026 and future years. This crucial support ensures the stability and effective planning of UNHCR's long-term programmes, which are designed to provide lasting solutions for displaced populations.
With its Global Appeal 2025, UNHCR is requesting $10.248 billion in funding from donors to support forcibly displaced and stateless individuals, most of them living near their countries of origin. With forced displacement reaching unprecedented levels – approximately 123 million people displaced worldwide – securing these funds will be vital to address both new conflicts and ongoing crises. Switzerland, with its legacy of humanitarian leadership, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping a more resilient future for refugees worldwide.
In recent months, conflict, persecution, and violence have driven millions from their homes in countries such as Sudan, Ukraine, and most recently, Lebanon. Additionally, millions have endured displacement for decades, escaping bloodshed and instability in Myanmar, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for example.
“Generous as it is, humanitarian funding is not keeping pace with the growing needs,” Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said. “As peace becomes more elusive, and conflict and persecution continue to force millions from their homes, we are facing a dire situation, with few solutions and escalating crises. Humanitarian aid must focus on reducing dependency, helping displaced communities thrive, not only survive. To achieve that, we need more and better funding but also bold solutions.”
With the funding UNHCR received in 2024, by mid-year, over 3 million people had been individually registered, 1.2 million supported with their civil identity or legal status, and over 500,000 received legal assistance. Across UNHCR operations, over 2 million people received life-saving cash assistance, over 9.5 million individual consultations were conducted in UNHCR-supported health care centres, 5.6 million people were supported with access to water and sanitation services and 630,000 received shelter and housing assistance. These achievements highlight the critical role of donor contributions in addressing both immediate and long-term needs of displaced populations worldwide.
In 2025, escalating conflicts, intensifying natural disasters, and ongoing crises are expected to drive further displacement and suffering. Unfortunately, durable solutions remain out of reach for many, as refugees are displaced for an average of 20 years, while most internally displaced individuals face more than a decade away from home.
UNHCR’s Global Appeal 2025 outlines key expectations for the coming year, including anticipated shifts in the global population of forcibly displaced and stateless people. The appeal also details the funding needed to address these challenges and the strategic actions UNHCR plans to undertake to support displaced communities effectively.
For more information about UNHCR’s work and the 2025 Global Appeal, visit UNHCR Global Appeal.
For more information on this topic, please contact:
In Geneva, Olga Sarrado, sarrado@unhcr.org, +41 79 740 2307