Impact of funding cuts on operations in the MENA Region

Overview

In 2023, UNHCR’s income decreased globally by nearly $1 billion despite having to respond to emergencies in over two dozen countries and persistent growth in the number of the forcibly displaced people worldwide.
As a result, UNHCR was compelled to make difficult budgeting decisions that negatively impacted the lives of many refugees.

Despite generous support from many donors, the funding forecast for 2024 indicates that the Office is facing further shortfalls; as of end-April, operations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have received $256.4 million out of $2,341 million required (11%).

UNHCR has been obliged to significantly reduce its planned expenditures in four countries – namely Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic (Syria), and Yemen – by $93 million in total so far.

The Office is doing its utmost to minimize the impact of reductions on those in need. We continue to look for ways to be more efficient globally and advocate urgently for more funding.

Nevertheless, budget cuts will expose the forcibly displaced and their host communities in the concerned countries to additional vulnerabilities, higher levels of poverty, and increased protection risks. Protection space is tangibly shrinking, onward movements increasing, including irregular and dangerous departures by sea, all while the underlying geopolitical dynamics in several parts of MENA remain unresolved, with far-reaching effects on regional peace and stability.