Guterres warns of a UN financial collapse and its impact on Gaza
In a stark warning reflecting the depth of the crisis gripping the international system, UN Secretary-General António Guterres sounded the alarm about the organization's financial situation, emphasizing that it faces the risk of imminent collapse that could paralyze its operations. This warning came in an urgent email circulated to member states, a move underscoring the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for immediate action.
In his letter, Guterres called on member states to shoulder their responsibilities and fulfill their financial obligations in full and without delay, or to initiate a thorough and comprehensive review of current financial regulations to avert the worst-case scenario. This appeal comes at a particularly sensitive time, as the international organization relies primarily on assessed contributions from member states to cover its regular budget expenses, which include staff salaries, headquarters maintenance, and the operation of diplomatic missions worldwide.
Background of the crisis and the international financing mechanism
The United Nations funding mechanism is based on a quota system, where each country's contribution is determined by its economic capacity. However, the organization periodically suffers from severe liquidity crises resulting from delays by some major countries in paying their dues. This often forces the Secretariat to cut spending, freeze recruitment, and sometimes borrow from peacekeeping operations funds to cover basic salaries. Experts point out that the recurrence of these crises weakens the organization's prestige and undermines its ability to respond to escalating global crises.
The repercussions of the crisis on humanitarian operations in Gaza
This financial crisis takes on a tragic dimension when considering the growing humanitarian needs in conflict zones, particularly in the Gaza Strip. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that the health situation in the Strip has reached a critical stage, with more than 18,000 people in dire need of medical evacuation to receive treatment outside the Strip, given the destruction of the health infrastructure.
Despite limited resources, reports indicate that the World Health Organization successfully facilitated the evacuation of 24 children from Gaza to Jordan for necessary medical care, and that 377 patients have been evacuated since the ceasefire in October. These figures underscore the immense pressure on UN agencies operating under near-impossible conditions.
The future of aid and support programs
Despite significant financial and logistical challenges, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted efforts to expand cash assistance programs aimed at enabling affected families to improve their food consumption and meet their basic needs. However, the continued funding shortfall threatens the sustainability of these vital programs, presenting the international community with a true moral and humanitarian test to prevent famine or wider health disasters.
