New survey shows half of women’s organizations aiding women in crises may shut down in six months due to global aid cuts
Source: UN Women
Geneva, Switzerland — Globally, 308 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across 73 countries, a figure that continues to rise with escalating conflict, climate change, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks.
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by crisis, suffering from preventable pregnancy-related deaths, malnutrition, and high rates of sexual violence. Despite rising needs, the humanitarian system is facing a severe funding crisis, with cuts threatening essential, life-saving services for women and girls.
UN Women today launched its new report At a Breaking Point: The Impact of Foreign Aid Cuts on Women's Organizations in Humanitarian Crises Worldwide. Based on the results of a rapid global survey conducted among 411 women-led and women’s rights organizations across 44 crisis contexts, the report finds that 90 per cent of surveyed organizations have been hit by funding cuts.
“The situation is critical. Women and girls simply cannot afford to lose the lifelines that women’s organizations are providing. Despite their roles as essential providers, advocates, and watchdogs, women’s organizations have been severely underfunded even before the recent wave of reductions. Supporting and resourcing them is not only a matter of equality and rights, but it is also a strategic imperative,” said Sofia Calltorp, Chief of UN Women Humanitarian Action.
Full article published by UN Women on 13 May 2025.
Geneva, Switzerland — Globally, 308 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across 73 countries, a figure that continues to rise with escalating conflict, climate change, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks.
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by crisis, suffering from preventable pregnancy-related deaths, malnutrition, and high rates of sexual violence. Despite rising needs, the humanitarian system is facing a severe funding crisis, with cuts threatening essential, life-saving services for women and girls.
UN Women today launched its new report At a Breaking Point: The Impact of Foreign Aid Cuts on Women's Organizations in Humanitarian Crises Worldwide. Based on the results of a rapid global survey conducted among 411 women-led and women’s rights organizations across 44 crisis contexts, the report finds that 90 per cent of surveyed organizations have been hit by funding cuts.
“The situation is critical. Women and girls simply cannot afford to lose the lifelines that women’s organizations are providing. Despite their roles as essential providers, advocates, and watchdogs, women’s organizations have been severely underfunded even before the recent wave of reductions. Supporting and resourcing them is not only a matter of equality and rights, but it is also a strategic imperative,” said Sofia Calltorp, Chief of UN Women Humanitarian Action.
Full article published by UN Women on 13 May 2025.