Facing a major fall in donor contributions, the UN on Monday cut its aid request to about half of this year’s target, despite unprecedented humanitarian demand.

By its own admission, the $23 billion U.N. appeal will shut out tens of millions of people in urgent need of help as falling support has forced it to prioritise only the most desperate.

The funding cuts come on top of other challenges for aid agencies that include security risks to staff in conflict zones and lack of access.

“Overstretched and Underfunded”

“It’s the cuts ultimately that are forcing us into these tough, tough, brutal choices that we’re having to make,” U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher told reporters.

“We are overstretched, underfunded, and under attack,” he said. “And we drive the ambulance towards the fire. On yo

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