In a striking development reflecting the depth of the crisis facing the international system, UN Secretary-General António Guterres that the UN is facing a real risk of imminent financial collapse . This came in an urgent email circulated to member states, placing the international community before its historic responsibility to save the world's largest institution.
Liquidity crisis: An urgent call to fulfill obligations
In his letter, Guterres urged member states to fulfill their financial obligations in full and without delay, or to immediately initiate a thorough review of their financial regulations to avert the worst-case scenario. This appeal comes at a time when the organization is suffering from a severe cash flow crisis that is hindering its ability to pay staff salaries and fund essential operations.
Historically, the United Nations' operating budget and peacekeeping budget rely on contributions from member states, calculated according to the size of each country's economy. Delays by major countries in paying their dues often create funding gaps, forcing the organization to reduce services or freeze recruitment. However, the current warning points to a critical stage that could go beyond mere austerity measures and lead to a complete halt in operations.
The impact of the financial collapse on humanitarian work
The impact of the financial shortfall is not limited to administrative functions in New York or Geneva; it extends to threaten the lives of millions in conflict zones. Any financial difficulties for the organization directly mean cuts to food aid, medical services, and protection programs in the most vulnerable regions around the world.
In this context, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted the scale of the disaster in the Gaza Strip as a living example of the existing challenges, noting that more than 18,000 people are in urgent need of medical evacuation for treatment outside the Strip, given the deteriorating health infrastructure.
Relief efforts amid financial challenges
Despite financial constraints, UN agencies continue their field work. The World Health Organization facilitated the evacuation of 24 children from Gaza to Jordan, and 377 patients have been evacuated since the ceasefire last October. The UN office also noted the expansion of cash assistance programs to help affected families improve their food consumption and meet basic needs.
However, these efforts remain at risk of stalling if the financial shortfall is not addressed. The challenges are still significant, and the replacement of the rule of law with the law of the jungle due to weak international institutions could lead to uncontrollable global chaos, making a response to Guterres's appeal a security and political imperative, not merely a financial obligation.
