Pakistan, Dec. 8 -- The United Nations has announced a sharply reduced humanitarian aid appeal for 2026, requesting $23 billion-nearly half of what it sought for the current year. The organisation acknowledged a dramatic fall in donor contributions despite global humanitarian needs reaching record levels.

UN officials said the reduced appeal means millions of people in crisis zones will not receive assistance. The funding gap has forced the agency to prioritise only the most critical emergencies, leaving many vulnerable communities without support.

Speaking to reporters, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher described the situation as unprecedented and deeply troubling. He said aid agencies are facing simultaneous challenges that include shrinking ...