A sharp decline in international funding has forced United Nations agencies to reduce life-saving assistance for nearly one million women and girls, raising concerns about worsening humanitarian conditions in some of the world's most vulnerable regions.
According to the UN, funding shortages have disrupted programmes that provide maternal healthcare, reproductive health services, protection from gender-based violence, and psychosocial support. Many women who rely on these services are now at greater risk due to the reduction in humanitarian aid.
The UN warned that the cuts are affecting countries already facing conflict, displacement, natural disasters, and economic crises. Health clinics have been forced to scale back operations, safe spaces for women and girls have closed, and outreach programmes have been suspended because of a lack of financial support.
Humanitarian officials said the funding gap threatens years of progress in improving women's health and protecting vulnerable communities. They urged donor countries and international partners to increase contributions, warning that continued reductions could lead to more preventable deaths, increased violence against women, and greater hardship for millions of families.
The UN stressed that investing in humanitarian assistance for women and girls is essential to protecting lives and supporting long-term recovery in crisis-affected communities, calling for urgent action to restore funding before conditions deteriorate further.