December 4, 2024 – Humanitarian aid and responders are under attack, while world leaders are failing to meaningfully tackle conflict and climate change. In 2025, over 300 million people face life-threatening and urgent needs due to the inaction and acquiescence of political leaders.
A surge in violent conflicts is driving an increase in humanitarian needs, while many wealthy countries are dramatically cutting humanitarian funding. Failure to fully fund Humanitarian Response Plans and address the causes of conflict leads to longer, more severe crises. In 2024, less than half of the required funding was committed by the end of November, forcing severe cuts in essential humanitarian aid. This is not only devastating for local communities, including women and girls, but entirely counterproductive.
The number of women living within 50km of conflict has doubled since the 1990s and now stands at 600 million. Nine out of ten women in these areas are taking an active role in support of their community. Yet, far too little funding is reaching women-led organisations who are best placed to respond to the needs. The volume and quality of funding directed towards women-led organizations, particularly in conflict zones, must be drastically increased.
2024 is already the deadliest year for humanitarian workers, and the majority of those lost are national staff. International humanitarian law violations are becoming a norm. Entering 2025, world leaders must prioritise preventing and ending conflict and ensuring the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers – everywhere. Now is the time to act—with urgency and unwavering solidarity.
– Deepmala Mahla, CARE’s Chief Humanitarian Officer
The full 2025 Global Humanitarian Overview can be found here. A statement delivered on behalf of 108 NGOs, including humanitarian organizations with operations in countries covered by the Global Humanitarian Overview can be found here.
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