International UNHCR is fighting for survival at 75: less money, more need
The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR was founded 75 years ago on December 14. In its anniversary year, the organization is facing its most serious financial crisis. What does this mean for millions of displaced people - and for refugee policy in Europe?
14.12.2025, 04:31
SDA
75 years - that's always a reason to celebrate, but the outgoing head of the UNHCR, Filippo Grandi, is anything but in a jubilant mood. The organization is facing an existential financial crisis.
In addition, the way refugees are treated has changed dramatically since 2015, from a welcoming culture - when people in need were greeted at train stations in Germany, for example - to outright rejection and border closures in many places. At the same time, the number of displaced people worldwide has practically doubled to at least 122 million, partly due to wars and violence in Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan and Ukraine.
The Iraqi Barham Saleh, who succeeds Grandi as UN High Commissioner for Refugees on January 1, must fight for the survival of the UNHCR.
Why the financial crisis?
The USA, which had provided around 40 percent of the UNHCR budget for years, has recently cut its funding drastically. Other generous donors such as Germany and the UK have also tightened their belts. The USA's contribution is now just over 40% of what it paid in 2024.
The UNHCR expects to collect only 3.9 billion dollars this year, a quarter less than in 2024. A third of the approximately 36 million people it has supported so far can no longer be helped. The UNHCR has already laid off a quarter of its staff - more than 5,000 people.
Why was the UNHCR founded?
It was set up after the Second World War to help displaced people, particularly in Europe, to return home. It was only supposed to exist for three years. Then new refugee crises arose again and again - until today.
Parallel to the UNHCR, the international community decided that persecuted people must be better protected by the Geneva Refugee Convention. According to the 1951 Convention, persecuted people have the right to be taken in by other countries. Every country must grant asylum. Poverty, hunger or natural disasters are not recognized reasons for fleeing. Only persecuted persons are considered refugees, all others are migrants who do not enjoy special protection.
Is the Refugee Convention outdated?
At the UN General Assembly in New York in September, the USA called for the asylum system to be reformed so that no one abuses the right of asylum to circumvent immigration barriers, according to the State Department.
Why should a government give more money to a refugee aid organization?
Because the UNHCR helps people in need not far from home. 71 percent of displaced people worldwide live in low- and middle-income countries close to their homes. "This can also help prevent them from seeking refuge in Europe," says Thorsten Klose-Zuber, Secretary General of Help - Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.V.
What consequences could the funding cuts in Europe have?
For Grandi, one thing is clear: "If humanitarian aid is cut back, people will once again push towards Europe." He recalls 2015, when money was lacking and aid for Syrian refugees in the Middle East had to be cut. This was one of the reasons why millions of Syrians fled to Europe out of desperation that year.
What threatens if the solidarity consensus of 1950 fades?
Klose-Zuber says: "Back then, there was a consensus that we should set up a system with a refugee convention and UNHCR so that we could leave the horrors of the world wars behind us forever. If we abolish this and everyone looks out for themselves again, there is a high probability that we will slide back into a catastrophe."
