UN Human Rights Office in 'Survival Mode' Amid Funding Crisis

In a dire appeal, Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, has outlined a financial crisis facing his office which has been forced into 'survival mode' after budget cuts severely impacted its functioning across 17 countries, including Colombia, Myanmar, and Chad.

There has been a significant decrease in contributions from traditional top donors, notably the United States and France. Though last year an appeal was made for USD 500 million, only USD 258 million was received, leaving the office grappling with reduced operational capacity and fewer monitoring missions.

The financial shortfall has had a tangible impact, with drastic program cuts seen in Colombia, Myanmar, and Chad, among others. Türk stressed that reduced funding inhibits their ability to safeguard human rights globally, highlighting the need for renewed donor commitment in overcoming these challenges.