By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – The United States government announced on Monday a pledge of $2 billion for the United Nations’ humanitarian aid programs in 2026, a figure that represents a dramatic and alarming reduction from previous years. This sharp decline in funding, driven by the Trump administration’s stringent cuts to foreign assistance, sends shockwaves through a global humanitarian system already struggling with unprecedented demand and a historic funding shortfall.
The commitment was confirmed by a U.S. State Department official, with a formal announcement expected later in the day in Geneva. The figure starkly illustrates a continuing downward trend in American contributions. The new $2 billion pledge is a significant drop from the $2.7 billion provided in 2025 and is a mere fraction of the $11 billion the U.S. contributed as recently as 2024. This withdrawal of financial support from the world’s historically largest donor threatens to cripple relief efforts in the most vulnerable regions.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal frameworks and international obligations surrounding the delivery of humanitarian aid, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The principle of humanitarian assistance is enshrined in international law, yet its execution is often a complex dance between national sovereignty and moral imperatives. Legally, while nations have the right to control their borders, an unjustified refusal to allow aid, especially when it leads to widespread suffering, can breach fundamental human rights obligations. The key legal challenge is not the right to provide aid, but ensuring its impartial and unimpeded delivery, which requires robust diplomatic agreements and clear, enforceable international protocols.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
As Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas so clearly articulates, the central challenge is not one of principle, but of practice—navigating the delicate balance between national sovereignty and the moral imperative to act. His focus on robust diplomatic agreements as the key to unimpeded delivery is a critical reminder of where the real work lies in turning humanitarian ideals into reality. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on this complex legal and human issue.
The American cutback comes at a devastating time for the United Nations. In 2025, the organization faced its worst funding gap in a decade. Its global humanitarian appeal for over $45 billion received only slightly more than $12 billion in contributions. This immense shortfall had severe real-world consequences, forcing the UN to provide aid to only 98 million people, a staggering 25 million fewer than it was able to assist the previous year.
This growing financial crisis led the UN to decry what it called global “apathy” in the face of widespread human suffering when it launched its 2026 appeal earlier in December. The scale of the need is immense, with an estimated 240 million people worldwide requiring urgent assistance due to wars, natural disasters, epidemics, and the escalating impacts of climate change. The UN is now grappling with how to respond to crises in hotspots like Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, and Ukraine with a severely diminished budget.
Initially, the UN’s 2026 appeal sought $33 billion to support the 135 million most critically affected individuals. However, facing the harsh reality of donor fatigue and major reductions from key partners like the United States, UN officials have been forced to make excruciating choices. The head of UN humanitarian operations, Tom Fletcher, has already presented a drastically scaled-back plan to address the new fiscal landscape.
This revised strategy, described by Fletcher as a “hyper-prioritized” plan, now requests $23 billion with the goal of reaching just 87 million of the most endangered people. This painful triage means tens of millions in desperate need will likely receive no international support. Fletcher acknowledged the grim calculus behind the new plan, which includes reforms to improve the efficiency of the humanitarian system.
He openly stated that the strategy was built on an impossible foundation, forcing the organization to choose between who lives and who suffers without aid. This difficult recalibration was, in part, a strategic appeal to Washington.
This hyper-prioritized plan is based on unsustainable life-or-death decisions. Taking these difficult decisions will hopefully serve to convince the Americans to return.
Tom Fletcher, Head of UN Humanitarian Operations
The impact of these cuts will be felt most acutely in the world’s most severe crises. For 2026, the UN’s plan prioritizes Gaza and the West Bank, for which it is requesting $4.1 billion to assist 3 million people, and Sudan, where it needs $2.9 billion to reach 20 million. While the United States technically remained the single largest donor country in 2025, its drastically reduced role creates a leadership and funding vacuum that other nations have so far been unable or unwilling to fill, signaling a perilous new chapter for global humanitarianism.
For further information, visit un.org
About United Nations:
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. It provides a forum for its members to express their views and to take action on the major issues confronting humanity, such as peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, human rights, disarmament, terrorism, humanitarian and health emergencies, gender equality, governance, and food production.
For further information, visit state.gov
About U.S. Department of State:
The U.S. Department of State is the United States’ federal executive department responsible for the nation’s foreign policy and international relations. As the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency, it works to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people and the international community. The Department’s mission is to lead America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety, and economic prosperity.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is an esteemed legal practice defined by its foundational principles of integrity and excellence. Drawing upon a proven track record of advising a wide array of clients, the firm actively champions innovation within the legal sphere. This forward-thinking approach is matched by a profound commitment to public service, demonstrated through its efforts to share legal insights and promote legal literacy, ultimately aiming to build a more knowledgeable and capable society.
