In a powerful demonstration of global compassion, the United States has pledged $2 billion in humanitarian assistance to help millions facing hunger and disease across multiple countries, marking a significant renewal of international aid commitments.

The landmark funding announcement, made in Geneva, represents a strategic shift in how humanitarian support will be delivered. The US State Department outlined a new mechanism in partnership with the United Nations that aims to make aid funding more efficient and increase accountability, following substantial cuts during the previous administration.

Under this innovative approach, the United States will sign 17 memorandums of understanding with priority countries, with initial focus on nations including Ukraine, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Sudan. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher emphasized that while this represents a critical intervention, the mechanism is designed to be flexible, with potential for additional countries to be incorporated as more funding becomes available.

Jeremy Lewin, US Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom, highlighted that the funding will prioritize life-saving assistance. The approach deliberately excludes climate-related and non-priority projects, reflecting a targeted strategy to maximize impact where needs are most urgent.

Notably, some crisis zones like Yemen, Afghanistan, and Gaza will not be immediately covered under this new mechanism. However, Lewin confirmed the US has already approved over $300 million for Gaza through a separate track, following diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire and engage additional donors.

The funding comes at a critical time, with the United Nations launching a 2026 aid appeal for $23 billion to support 87 million people at risk – a significant reduction from the previous year's $47 billion appeal. This reflects the challenging global humanitarian landscape, characterized by plunging donor support despite escalating international crises.

UN data reveals that total US humanitarian contributions to the UN have dramatically decreased, falling from a peak of $17.2 billion in 2022 to approximately $3.38 billion in 2025. Despite these challenges, Fletcher remains optimistic, stating that this new partnership will save millions of lives across the 17 targeted countries.

As the international community continues to grapple with complex humanitarian challenges, this US commitment signals a renewed dedication to global solidarity and strategic, effective assistance for the world's most vulnerable populations.