The world is grappling with an alarming surge in humanitarian crises, as the UN’s top aid official, Tom Fletcher, issued a stark warning about the scale of global need for the coming year. Speaking at the launch of the Global Humanitarian Overview 2025, Fletcher revealed that an estimated 305 million people will require lifesaving assistance next year, but only 190 million are likely to be reached due to funding and logistical challenges.

“The world is on fire,” Fletcher declared. “We are dealing with a polycrisis – multiple, overlapping emergencies – and the most vulnerable are paying the price. Conflicts are more ferocious and enduring, while climate change is accelerating these challenges in already fragile regions.”

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has launched an appeal for $47.4 billion to provide aid in over 30 countries and nine refugee-hosting regions. Fletcher emphasized the urgency of securing these funds to address the devastating consequences of conflicts in areas such as Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine, which have resulted in record civilian suffering and violations of international humanitarian law.

Despite the scale of need, Fletcher acknowledged that limited funding and access constraints would leave millions without support. “In countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where people have endured decades of violence, we are ready to do more,” he said. “But we need resources, and we need those in power to step up and challenge this era of impunity and indifference.”

Fletcher highlighted the compounded impact of climate change and conflict, describing it as a “dreadful convergence” that exacerbates poverty and inequality. An estimated 123 million people have been forcibly displaced by conflict globally, with children disproportionately affected.

“One in every five children is living in a conflict zone right now,” Fletcher said, recounting his recent visit to Sudan, where he witnessed the devastating toll of war on families.

As the new UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Fletcher vowed to advocate for greater international solidarity and respect for humanitarian principles. He plans to engage governments worldwide to secure partnerships and resources for those most in need.

“Our mission is to ensure humanitarian aid gets through, checkpoint by checkpoint, border by border,” Fletcher affirmed. “We are also pushing for renewed respect for international humanitarian law, which has been willfully disregarded in conflicts like Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine.”

Amid a shifting geopolitical landscape marked by significant elections and changing government attitudes toward the UN, Fletcher expressed optimism about building a compassionate response. “I don’t believe we can’t make the case to new governments,” he said. “We must reframe this argument to resonate with the public and rekindle humanity’s compassion.”

The Global Humanitarian Overview 2025 was launched simultaneously in Geneva, Kuwait, and Nairobi to rally international support and address the escalating needs of the world’s most vulnerable populations.