Despite the challenges, he said the agreement, known as a memorandum of understanding or MOU, offered reason for optimism.
“Millions, millions more will get much-needed support,” Fletcher said, adding that the funding would help save tens of millions of lives in the coming year.
The agreement covers 17 countries affected by the crisis: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Ukraine, Haiti, Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Mozambique, Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan, Bangladesh, Syria, Uganda, Kenya and Chad, as well as the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
Saving lives
Fletcher said the real impact of this “historic agreement” would be its impact on the ground. “One number that really matters… is that millions of lives will be saved,” he said.
He noted that the funding supports the UN’s 2026 plan to reach 87 million people with emergency assistance. That plan, he said, has been “hyper-prioritized” to reduce duplication, streamline bureaucracy and maximize efficiency across the humanitarian system.
The agreement is a major vote of confidence in the “humanitarian reset” (which Fletcher had announced in March 2025) to deliver aid faster, smarter and closer to the people who need it most.
Responsibility
Reform and accountability figured prominently in his comments.
Fletcher emphasized that donors expect results and said accountability mechanisms would ensure “every dollar we spend” is tracked to confirm it is saving lives. He also stressed that the agreement does not imply alignment on all issues, but rather reflects a shared focus on urgent priorities to save lives.
He also highlighted the link between humanitarian action and diplomacy, calling for 2026 to be “a year of diplomacy and peacemaking.” Ending conflicts, he said, remains the most effective way to reduce humanitarian needs.
“This life-saving announcement is not the end of the process,” Fletcher concluded. “It’s the beginning.”