International aid agencies have called for urgent funding as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East causes mass displacement and puts severe strain on already limited humanitarian resources. Since February 28, an estimated 3.2 million people have been displaced in Iran and 1 million in Lebanon, reflecting the rapidly escalating scale of the crisis.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated that an additional $61 million is needed in Lebanon alone to support around 600,000 displaced people over the next three months. The agency, which reduced its workforce by 30% last year due to funding shortages, warned that declining global humanitarian financing is undermining its ability to respond effectively to the growing needs.
UNHCR emphasized that the drop in global funding coincides with sharply rising humanitarian needs, with reduced staffing and limited resources constraining operations as displacement accelerates. The World Food Programme (WFP) added that nearly 45 million more people worldwide could face acute hunger if the conflict continues into mid-year and oil prices remain high.
Carl Skau, WFP’s chief operating officer, highlighted that the war’s economic ripple effects disproportionately impact vulnerable populations already struggling to meet basic food needs. He warned that without sufficient humanitarian support, millions on the edge of survival could face catastrophe.
Aid organizations also noted the stark contrast between the enormous financial costs of the conflict—$11.3 billion spent by the United States in the first week alone—and the severe funding shortfalls for humanitarian operations. They urged immediate donor support, warning that without it, displacement, food insecurity, and economic disruption could worsen the global humanitarian crisis in the coming months.
