US Pledges $2 Billion for UN Humanitarian Aid, Covers Bangladesh

File photo

The United States on Monday pledged $2 billion in humanitarian aid to the United Nations, including funding for Bangladesh, as part of a new strategy to consolidate U.N. assistance amid global financial pressures.

While smaller than previous contributions, U.S. officials said the sum demonstrates Washington’s commitment as the world’s largest humanitarian donor. The funds will be distributed through a central umbrella fund, allowing resources to be directed to priority crises and countries, and supporting the Trump administration’s push for U.N. reforms.

Seventeen countries are expected to benefit initially, including Bangladesh, Congo, Haiti, Syria, and Ukraine. Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories are not part of this allocation but may receive aid through other U.S.-linked channels, such as the ongoing Gaza peace initiative.

U.S. diplomats emphasized that the new approach aims to reduce duplication and bureaucracy across U.N. agencies. “This humanitarian reset will deliver more aid with fewer tax dollars, providing results-driven assistance aligned with U.S. foreign policy,” said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz.

The pledge comes after a challenging year for U.N. aid organizations, which have faced budget cuts and rising global humanitarian needs, including famine in Sudan, ongoing conflict in Gaza, and climate-driven disasters worldwide.

Tom Fletcher, head of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), will oversee the distribution of the funds to ensure efficiency and accountability, replacing the prior system of multiple separate appeals. U.S. officials view this as a crucial step in reforming the way humanitarian aid is coordinated and delivered globally.