The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) launched its 2026 Humanitarian Action for Children appeal on Wednesday, aiming to raise $7.66 billion to provide vital support to 73 million children in 133 countries and territories. As reported by the Argentine News Agency, the announcement was made at UN Headquarters, where the Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, warned that cuts in global funding and the collapse of basic services are exacerbating humanitarian needs, which continue to grow year after year. Haq pointed out that budget cuts announced by donor governments limit UNICEF's ability to reach millions of children in extreme vulnerability, and the deficits of 2024 and 2025 have forced the organization to make 'impossible decisions.' A shortfall of $745 million has left millions of children at greater risk of losing access to learning, protection, and stability, Haq alerted. 'UNICEF urges governments and donors to increase flexible and multi-year funding, support local partners, uphold humanitarian principles, and ensure access for children in need,' he expressed. In a statement, UNICEF detailed that of the 73 million children reached by the appeal, 37 million are girls and more than 9 million have disabilities. The agency's Executive Director, Catherine Russell, warned that children affected by conflicts, disasters, displacement, and economic crises continue to face 'extraordinary challenges.' Russell emphasized that the global funding crisis does not reflect a decrease in needs but a growing gap between suffering and available resources, and warned that 'children are already paying the price for reduced humanitarian budgets.' Critical deficits threaten nutrition, education, and child protection programs. In the nutrition sector alone, UNICEF will face a 72% deficit in 2025, forcing cuts in 20 priority countries. 'Their lives are being shaped by forces beyond their control: violence, the threat of famine, the advance of climate crises, and the collapse of essential services,' Russell stated. According to UNICEF, more than 200 million children will need humanitarian assistance in 2026.
