A call to safeguard humanitarian action amid rising threats and global aid cuts

London/Geneva,

World Humanitarian Day 2025 arrives at a critical juncture for the global humanitarian community. This year’s theme—#ActForHumanity—underscores a triple crisis: escalating violence against aid workers, legitimacy, and unprecedented funding shortfalls that shook the global humanitarian system, and as a result, threaten the very foundation of humanitarian response.

Aid Workers Under Fire

In 2024, 383 aid workers[1] were killed in the line of duty—a record high. As of August 2025, 248 more have lost their lives, with national staff disproportionately affected in high-risk contexts such as Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Syria. 2025 is already on track to be worse. If the current trend continues, 2025 is on course to become the deadliest year for humanitarian personnel on record.

This alarming trajectory demands urgent action. There is an impending need for Governments and armed actors to adhere to the UN Security Council Resolution 2730 (2024) on the Protection of Aid Workers, and to commit to the forthcoming Declaration of the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. This would emphasise the need for investigations, accountability and respect for International Humanitarian Law, end impunity for attacks on aid workers and guarantee safe, unimpeded access to populations in need. 

Global Funding Cuts: A Silent Crisis

Violence is not the only threat. The humanitarian sector is facing a severe financial contraction. 

The latest report, “Hunger, Harm and Hard Choices,” by World Vision, revealed the devastating toll that humanitarian funding cuts are taking on displaced children and their families across 13 crisis-affected countries. Families who experienced food assistance cuts were the most vulnerable of all; they were 5.4 times more likely to be moderately or severely food insecure and reported worse child-related education and protection outcomes.

With global humanitarian funding facing a decline, the severe impact on the most vulnerable children and their families is visible, from the dismantling of critical services, like emergency health and child protection, to education and disaster risk reduction.

According to the 2025 Global Humanitarian Overview, a record $45.48 billion is required to assist 181.2 million of the 300 million people in need across 72 countries. However, as of mid-year, only 16.8% of that funding—$7.64 billion—has been reported, representing a staggering 40% decline compared to the same period in 2024. 

In response, humanitarian actors across the system, including UN agencies, INGOs, and local organisations, have been forced to drastically scale back operations and “hyper-prioritise”. This recalibration is not a matter of strategic prioritisation—it reflects a systemic failure to meet escalating global humanitarian needs. The gap between urgent needs and resources is leaving tens of millions behind, and it raises questions about the international community’s ability to meet these rising needs.

“World Humanitarian Day is when we honour those who serve in the world’s most dangerous places,” said Isabel Gomes, Global Lead for Disaster Management at World Vision International. “But while violence threatens their safety, budget cuts threaten their ability to serve. When you cut funding, you cut the critical assistance to children and families living in desperation.”

The entire humanitarian system is at stake. Thousands of humanitarian jobs have already been lost. Entire country programmes are coming to a halt. The sector is shifting from recovery and resilience to mere survival.

“We must confront a harsh reality,” Gomes added. “Aid workers are less protected than ever and the systems they uphold are being dismantled. Without urgent action, the cost will be measured not just in lost jobs—but in lost lives.”

Legitimacy Crisis: Eroding Trust

Beyond violence and funding, humanitarian actors face a legitimacy crisis. Communities increasingly question the motives, effectiveness, and relevance of humanitarian efforts. When aid is perceived as politicised and top-down, it loses moral authority, undermining access and protection.

Despite overwhelming evidence that investing in children yields long-term returns—up to $10 for every $1 spent—global aid for children is on the decline. In 2023, according to the 'ODA at the crossroads' report, by World Vision, just 11.5% of Official Development Assistance (ODA) was directed toward child-focused initiatives, down from 13% the previous year. This drop comes at a time when children are bearing the brunt of escalating global crises—from conflict and climate shocks to hunger and displacement. The trend signals a troubling erosion of international solidarity and trust in the humanitarian system—at precisely the moment it is needed most.

The very foundation of humanitarian action is trust and accountability. When trust in humanitarian systems wanes, frontline workers face increased risks, donor confidence diminishes, and the effectiveness of the entire response is compromised.

Bold Hope: Rebuilding Humanitarian Action Amid Crisis

Over the last decade, World Vision has increased the amount spent in fragile contexts by 188%. In 2024, $744 million was invested in innovative programmes across the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus in 22 of the most fragile countries and subnational regions where it operates.

In FY24, World Vision reached the highest number of vulnerable children in a single year in its Disaster Management history. Over 35 million people, including 19 million children, in 65 countries, participated in World Vision’s humanitarian programming.

World Vision is currently prioritising fundraising for ten countries that have been significantly affected by funding cuts—Afghanistan, DR Congo, Haiti, Lebanon, Mali, Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Syria—where programme contractions are jeopardising life-saving services while humanitarian needs remain critical.

“As the humanitarian architecture is being redefined and the humanitarian funding landscape is changing, our unwavering commitment to serve the world’s most vulnerable remains steadfast," Gomes remarked. "Together with institutional donors, faith-based organisations, corporations, governments, and other partners, we must reimagine the humanitarian system as decentralised, inclusive and accountable, where power is shared, resources are flexible, and vulnerable communities are at the centre of decision-making."

Contacts:

For media interviews, contact Annila Harris, Sr Advisor, Humanitarian Communications and Engagement

Email address: annila_harris@wvi.org 

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children, families and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.  World Vision carries out lifesaving humanitarian efforts with investments from numerous partners, including institutional donors, faith-based organisations, corporations and governments. For more information, please visit www.wvi.org