GENEVA
Nearly half of all women-led organizations providing life-saving support in humanitarian crises are at risk of shutting down within six months due to sharp declines in international aid, UN Women warned Tuesday.
The alarm comes as part of a new report based on a global survey of 411 women-led and women’s rights groups across 44 crisis-affected regions. The findings are stark as 90% of organizations surveyed report suffering funding cuts, and 47% say they may be forced to close by late 2025 if the situation does not improve.
“The situation is critical. Women and girls simply cannot afford to lose the lifelines that women’s organizations are providing. Despite their roles as essential providers, advocates, and watchdogs, women’s organizations have been severely underfunded even before the recent wave of reductions,” Sofia Calltorp, the chief of UN Women humanitarian action, said.
“Supporting and resourcing them is not only a matter of equality and rights — it is a strategic imperative,” she noted.
As global humanitarian needs rise — driven by armed conflict, climate shocks, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks — funding shortfalls are undermining the humanitarian system.
According to the report, over half (51%) of women’s groups have already suspended essential services, including programs addressing gender-based violence, livelihoods, healthcare, and cash assistance. Nearly three-quarters (72%) have had to lay off staff, with some reductions being significant.
Women and girls face acute risks in crisis settings, including malnutrition, preventable pregnancy-related deaths, and sexual violence, the report said. Despite this, the organizations most attuned to their needs are being sidelined by dwindling resources.
UN Women called for urgent action to reverse the trend, stressing that women’s organizations are “cornerstones” of humanitarian response.
