Of the $8.5 billion needed for this year, only 32% had been secured, said the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the DPA reported.

"Falling funding levels are having a dramatic impact on enjoyment of a broad range of rights," the agency said.

"In many contexts, underfunding is already causing the loss of essential services and systems that protect people forced to flee from violence, exploitation, exclusion, and other risks," it added.

Many countries have cut their contributions to humanitarian efforts since last year. At UNHCR, funding fell from $5.2 billion in 2024 to $3.9 billion in 2025.

Without funding, refugees could no longer be registered, safe accommodation could not be provided, and special protection for children would be neglected, the UNHCR said.

People who had fled violence, exploitation and abuse could end up in the hands of smugglers and human traffickers, it warned.