World: Caritas Internationalis at UNGA: Aid cuts put millions at risk as humanitarian needs reach record levels
Country: World Source: Caritas Rome – New York, 22 September 2026 As world leaders gather in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Caritas Internationalis is calling for urgent action to close the humanitarian funding gap, reverse cuts to overseas development assistance and put local communities at the centre of the global response to crisis. Around 350 million people worldwide are in urgent need of life-saving humanitarian assistance this year . The UN’s 87 Million Lives appeal focuses on those facing the most severe and life-threatening needs, but millions more remain at risk of falling deeper into crisis. “The 87 million people covered by the 87 Million Lives appeal are only the tip of the iceberg of some 300 million people who are in urgent need of life-saving humanitarian assistance this year”, stated Alistair Dutton, Secretary General, Caritas Internationalis “The international community must ensure the appeal is fully funded immediately and go further to honour its responsibilities to people in need. Cuts to overseas development assistance must be reversed – stressed Dutton – and governments must restore their commitment to spending 0.7% of GNI on development. He also reminded that “Peacebuilding, development and humanitarian assistance are among the most effective tools we have to prevent conflict, reduce forced displacement and terrorism, and build peace. Very few people want to leave their homes. Our priority should be to make it possible for people to stay safely in the communities and lands they call home and cherish so dearly.” Debt relief: putting people before debt At a debate hosted by Devex Impact House, on 21 September, Alfonso Apicella, Senior Advocacy Campaigns Manager at Caritas Internationalis, joined an important discussion on debt, stressing how global financial systems affect people’s access to care and basic services. The discussion is part of Caritas Internationalis’ wider engagement at UNGA this week , with Caritas participating in several side events, including on debt relief, humanitarian financing, localisation, peacebuilding, International Humanitarian Law and the protection of humanitarian personnel. Through these discussions, Caritas is bringing the experience of its Confederation and its members to the global policy debate. Caritas is calling on Member States to: fully fund the UN’s 87 Million Lives appeal ; reverse cuts to overseas development assistance and restore the commitment to 0.7% of GNI ; provide direct, flexible and multi-year financing to local and national actors , with their meaningful participation in humanitarian planning and decision-making; strengthen political action to uphold International Humanitarian Law , protect humanitarian personnel and ensure safe and sustained humanitarian access. Local communities must be at the heart of the response National and local responders are embedded in the communities they serve. They understand local realities, have established relationships of trust and remain long after international attention has moved elsewhere. Yet humanitarian financing and decision-making still too often fail to reflect their central role. For Caritas, responding to humanitarian needs also means investing in peacebuilding and development . Predictable and sustained support can help communities withstand crises, reduce forced displacement and create conditions in which people can remain safely in their homes. The Caritas representatives in New York were pleased to join Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, for Mass, together with colleagues and partners gathered for the UN General Assembly. For media inquiries: media@caritas.va
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