The Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) 2022 presented initial funding requirements of US$41 billion to assist 183 million of the 274 million people in need of humanitarian aid.
By 21 November, the financial requirements for 2022 had grown 26 per cent to a record-high $51.7 billion for plans in 69 countries. The increase in requirements is due to the new appeals for the Ukraine crisis (Humanitarian Response Plan and Regional Refugee Response Plan); new plans for Haiti, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Pakistan; and higher requirements for some plans (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali, Somalia and Yemen, among others) because of increased humanitarian needs.
Funding gap
The war in Ukraine was a major factor in the rapid increase of the financial ask in 2022. Without question, the secondary economic and food security impacts of the crisis have been enormous, affecting a wide range of costs, including for food and transport.
Donors made extraordinary efforts in response to the impact of the war in Ukraine, as well as to the failed rainy seasons in the Horn of Africa, and the serious famine risks in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen. However, the decline in funding relative to needs led to reduced capacity to respond to both protracted crises and rapid-onset emergencies, such as the floods in Pakistan.
The monthly evolution of GHO coverage remained similar to previous years, although Ukraine funding comprised a relatively large per cent of the total in the first half of the year. Funding received as of 21 November against the GHO requirements amounts to $24.1 billion, or barely 47 per cent, leaving a gap of almost $27.6 billion. Despite the record funding levels this year in absolute terms, the gap between needs and funding received has never been wider or more concerning.
Appeal funding gap 2012-2022
Requirements and funding for the Ukraine Flash Appeal and the Ukraine Regional Refugee Response Plan are disproportionately high. The two appeals ($6.1 billion in requirements) make up 12 per cent of financial needs, but 17 per cent of appeal funding recorded by 21 November. Nevertheless, even without the funding for the Ukraine plans, total appeal funding is $2.8 billion higher than it was at the same time last year. Total humanitarian funding has also reached a record high at $31.0 billion, including $5 billion for the Ukraine crisis.
Total humanitarian funding trend 2022
The funding outlook for 2023 remains grim, considering high global needs, an austere economic environment, recent exchange-rate losses, incessant climate shocks and the continuing impacts of the war in Ukraine. Diversifying the current donor base and expanding the sources of humanitarian funding will be required in 2023 more than ever.
High-level resource mobilization events coordinated by OCHA
High-level events were held in 2022 to raise awareness of and mobilize resources for major crises.
The High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen took place on 16 March, during which 35 announcements of financial assistance were made, totalling $1.3 billion.
The High-Level Pledging Event Supporting the Humanitarian Response in Afghanistan was held on 31 March. Participants announced pledges totalling $2.2 billion for the people of Afghanistan.
The Sixth Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region was held on 10 May. Participants announced pledges for both Syria and the region: $4.3 billion for 2022 and $2.4 billion for 2023 and beyond.