# UN refugee chief warns aid cuts threaten vital lifelines

> UN refugee chief warns funding cuts risk global aid for refugees.
- Title: UN refugee chief warns aid cuts threaten vital lifelines
- Summary: UN refugee chief warns funding cuts risk global aid for refugees. UNHCR chief Barham Salih warns deep funding shortfalls threaten critical refugee aid…
- Keywords: unhcr, barham salih, funding cuts, refugees, humanitarian aid, chad, ethiopia, americas, 2026, 35%, usd3billion, 24.5million
- Source: The Straits Times — https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/un-refugee-agencys-funding-shortfall-is-impacting-refugees-worldwide-its-chief-says
- Published: 2026-10-12T11:20:19+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: unhcr, barham salih, funding cuts, refugees, humanitarian aid, chad, ethiopia, americas, 2026, 35%, usd3billion, 24.5million
## UNHCR funding shortfall
UNHCR has secured only US$3 billion (S$3.8 billion), or 35%, of the US$8.5 billion it needs for 2026.
## Workforce reduction
UNHCR has cut staff from 20,000 in 2024 to just under 12,000.
## Protection floor warning
Salih said 'protection has a floor' and warned the crisis is already harming refugees and partners.

> protection has a floor
## Americas budget cut
The Americas face a 32% budget cut in 2027, with displaced people rising to 24.5 million.
## Chad and Ethiopia impacts
Chad risks medical care disruption for 50,000 survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.
## Refugee registration suspension
Refugee registration suspended for tens of thousands in Ethiopia from South Sudan and Eritrea.
## Key takeaway

UNHCR chief Barham Salih warns deep funding shortfalls threaten critical refugee aid programs worldwide.