Headlines
Red Cross and Red Crescent cuts aid appeal despite surging global crises
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 12, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Quick Summary
Red Cross cuts aid appeal by $502.64 million due to shrinking global funding, despite rising humanitarian needs and crises.
Red Cross Reduces Aid Appeal Despite Global Crises
By Olivia Le Poidevin
GENEVA, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The world's largest humanitarian network said on Friday it has appealed for 400 million Swiss francs ($502.64 million) less from global donors next year, due to shrinking global aid funding, despite unprecedented levels of need.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is asking for 3.4 billion Swiss francs ($4.27 billion), while last year it asked for 3.8 billion Swiss francs ($4.78 billion) to help people impacted by conflict and climate-related crises and natural disasters.
Aid groups and United Nations agencies are having to drastically scale back operations following major aid cuts by U.S. President Donald Trump as well as other top Western donors such as Germany this year.
"Humanitarian needs are rising, challenges are growing and funding is shrinking," said IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain in a statement.
The IFRC will put the lion's share of its spending into locally led responses which it said will bring expertise closer to communities that need it. The IFRC said it remains the world's largest humanitarian network with 191 National Societies, 17 million volunteers and 289,000 local branches.
Earlier in December, the IFRC said it would stop its part in supporting the Ocean Viking, a migrant rescue ship run with SOS Mediterranee in the central Mediterranean, because of funding shortfalls.
Protecting humanitarian workers whose lives are increasingly at risk is a key priority for next year, the IFRC stated. Fifty-seven Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers were killed in the past two years, it said.
The Norwegian Refugee Council, a major NGO operating in dozens of humanitarian crises, including Gaza and Sudan, warned this month that funding limits would stretch humanitarian responses. That followed an announcement by the U.N. aid chief, Tom Fletcher, of a large scale-back in operations due to shrinking funding.
($1 = 0.7958 Swiss franc)
(Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin in Geneva; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Key Takeaways
- •Red Cross reduces aid appeal by 400 million Swiss francs.
- •Global aid funding is shrinking despite rising needs.
- •IFRC focuses on locally led responses to aid communities.
- •57 Red Cross staff killed in past two years.
- •Major NGOs warn of stretched humanitarian responses.
Frequently Asked Questions about Red Cross and Red Crescent cuts aid appeal despite surging global crises
1What is a financial crisis?
A financial crisis is a situation in which the value of financial institutions or assets drops rapidly, leading to a loss of confidence and often resulting in economic downturns.
2What is funding environment?
The funding environment refers to the overall conditions and availability of financial resources for organizations, especially non-profits and humanitarian groups, to carry out their activities and projects.
3What are international organizations?
International organizations are entities established by multiple countries to work together on common goals, such as humanitarian aid, economic development, and global governance.
4What are charitable projects?
Charitable projects are initiatives designed to provide assistance or support to those in need, often funded by donations or grants, aimed at improving social welfare and community development.
