On December 29, 2025, the Trump administration declared a commitment of $2 billion to United Nations humanitarian assistance, marking a drastic reduction from the up to $17 billion previously provided by the United States, which has been the leading funder of the UN. This funding is contingent upon reforms mandated by the administration, which include consolidating UN humanitarian functions to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies.

The U.S. State Department indicated that the funds would be allocated to specific countries or crises, initially targeting 17 nations, including Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Syria, and Ukraine. Notably, Afghanistan and Palestine were excluded from this list, with officials stating that assistance for Palestine would be addressed through a separate, incomplete plan related to Gaza.

As the U.S. reduces its aid commitments, global humanitarian needs have intensified. Reports indicate that famine conditions have emerged in conflict-affected regions such as Sudan and Gaza, while climate change has exacerbated natural disasters, displacing thousands and causing significant loss of life.

This funding announcement follows a significant restructuring of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which has historically been the primary agency for U.S. foreign aid. Experts have raised concerns that the dismantling of USAID, influenced by figures such as billionaire Elon Musk within the Trump administration, has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands globally, with projections suggesting that millions more could be at risk without adequate intervention. A tracker maintained by Boston University epidemiologist Brooke Nichols estimates that the Trump administration's cuts to foreign aid programs have led to over 700,000 deaths, predominantly among children. Analysts have noted that while quantifying the exact impact is challenging, the consequences of reduced aid are likely to be dire without prompt action.

The decision to limit humanitarian funding aligns with President Donald Trump's broader initiative to reduce foreign aid and implement reforms within the UN system. This funding cut occurs amid warnings from the United Nations about unprecedented funding shortfalls, as the organization has appealed for $23 billion for 2026, citing a decline in support from Western nations. Aid organizations have reported that previous reductions in funding have already contributed to increased hunger, cuts in refugee services, and deteriorating health conditions across regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.