UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the latest contribution, saying “it will be enabling humanitarian staff to reach millions of people in the most urgent crises with life-saving support.”
Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher described the funding as critical at a time when humanitarian agencies are “overstretched, under-resourced and literally under attack.”
“This support will help save millions of lives,Fletcher said at UN headquarters in New York, where he appeared alongside US Ambassador Mike Waltz and Jeremy Lewin, US Undersecretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom.
The funding comes as humanitarian agencies face increasing pressure due to conflict, displacement, climate crises and shrinking donor budgets. According to estimates, around 239 million people around the world currently need humanitarian assistance.
Financing that helps millions
Fletcher said the first tranche of $2 billion announced in December had already enabled aid agencies to deliver life support to 14.4 million people during the first four months of 2026.
“That’s a headline we should all be proud of and celebrate.” said.
The previous funding package focused on 18 crises in multiple regions and, according to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, tripled the funding available through humanitarian pooled funds in those countries.
Six of the crises had begun the year without any pooled financing.
As of this week, $1.71 billion of that allocation was already being implemented, with UN agencies and partners aiming to reach more than 22 million people through the US allocation alone.
A crucial lifeline
Mr. Fletcher said the funding had provided “a lifeline at a crucial time” when humanitarian operations were at risk of collapse due to severe funding cuts and disrupted supply chains.
Among the assistance already delivered, more than six million people received food aid, while 10.4 million people gained access to drinking water. The funding also supports more than 690 health centers and provides direct assistance to more than 779,000 households.
In addition, around 300,000 girls and 266,000 boys receive support for severe malnutrition, while funding has also been allocated to protective services for women and girls, including survivors of sexual violence.
‘We can deliver’
Fletcher said the humanitarian system was accelerating reforms aimed at improving efficiency, accountability and local decision-making.
The agencies had reduced bureaucracy, shortened allocation timelines and increased transparency through an online tracking system that shows where funds are spent, he said.
“We have proven that we can deliver, even in the most difficult conditions,” said.
Fletcher also emphasized that humanitarian needs continue to outstrip available resources, and the UN’s 2026 humanitarian response plan seeks $23 billion to reach 87 million people around the world with critical assistance.
“Our focus going forward,” he said, “is to secure the rest of the funding we need to execute this ambitious plan, and then go out and execute it.”