At a time when billions of people on the planet are struggling with the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing economic collapse — on top of long-running disasters like famine, drought or social and civil unrest — some of the world’s largest government donors of humanitarian aid are buckling under the strain.
Funding commitments, for the virus and otherwise, have dropped by a third from the same period last year, according to analysis by the U.K.-based Development Initiatives, obtained in advance by The Associated Press.
The challenges remain vast as various streams of assistance, including remittances, falter. “All resources … are set to fall,” according to a separate new Development Initiatives report.
Last week, the United Nations again increased its request for the pandemic response alone to $10.3 billion — the largest appeal in its history.
Only $1.7 billion has been received. Up to $40 billion might be needed.
“The response of wealthy nations so far has been grossly inadequate and dangerously short-sighted,” U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said. “Failure to act now will leave the virus free to circle ’round the globe.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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