Aid at Risk: UN Budgets Hit by U.S. Pullout

Data published in the Munich Security Report 2026 exposes the far-reaching consequences of the United States' withdrawal of funding from key United Nations agencies. The report highlights significant budget cuts across several vital organizations, raising concerns about the future of global humanitarian efforts and international cooperation.

The World Food Programme (WFP), a lifeline for millions facing food insecurity, faces the steepest cut, with an estimated 34 percent reduction in its budget. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) follows closely, with an estimated 30 percent decrease in funding. Other agencies are also bracing for substantial losses this year, including the UN International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), both of which expect budget cuts of up to 20 percent. As our infographic also shows, the largest donor behind the U.S. is usually either Germany or the United Kingdom, with a funding share that ranged from 7 to 11 percent depending on the agencies in 2024.

The withdrawal of U.S. funding threatens to destabilize critical aid operations worldwide, from food assistance and migration support to healthcare and refugee protection. Experts warn that these cuts could exacerbate humanitarian crises, leaving vulnerable populations without essential resources in some regions of the globe.