The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the organization’s key emergency and disaster response arm, has announced sweeping cuts to its global workforce and a significant scale-down of operations in response to an escalating funding crisis.

In a statement released this week, OCHA confirmed that it will reduce its international staff by 20% and withdraw or drastically limit its presence in at least nine countries.

The move comes amid a growing gap between the increasing number of humanitarian emergencies and the financial resources available to respond.

"This was not a decision made lightly," said Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

"But the reality is stark: funding is falling far short while the number of people in urgent need continues to rise."

The agency has not yet publicly named all of the countries affected, but sources indicate that some operations in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia could be among those scaled back or shut down entirely.

Global crises — including protracted conflicts, climate disasters, and displacement — have pushed humanitarian needs to record highs.

However, donor fatigue, economic strain, and shifting geopolitical priorities have led to a sharp decline in contributions to UN relief programs.

According to OCHA, the agency requested $55 billion (Sh7.3 trillion) in 2024 to reach over 300 million people in need, but less than a third of that has been received to date.

Aid groups and rights organizations are warning of dire consequences if international support continues to dwindle.

"We are on the brink of a humanitarian collapse in several regions," said Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council.

"Without OCHA’s coordination, aid delivery will become even more fragmented and ineffective, placing millions at greater risk."

The agency said it will focus its remaining resources on the most critical emergencies and attempt to streamline coordination efforts with NGOs and other UN partners.

OCHA’s restructuring is expected to take effect over the next few months, with staff reductions, country office closures, and program realignments rolled out gradually.

Humanitarian workers around the world now face mounting pressure to do more with less — even as disasters, conflicts, and displacement show no sign of slowing.