Underfunded And Under Fire: World Vision NZ Calls On Govt To Safeguard Humanitarians Amid Rising Threats And Aid Cuts
2025 is set to be one of the deadliest years for humanitarian aid workers - 248 aid workers have been killed in some of the world's most dangerous contexts, including Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, and Myanmar
Humanitarians face historic funding shortfalls with a 40% drop in funding2
World Vision NZ calling on Government to prioritise vulnerable children by committing to a roadmap to reach 0.5% of Gross National Income for Official Development Assistance by 2030
As humanitarian needs reach unprecedented levels across the globe, this year's World Humanitarian Day (19 August), is honouring humanitarian workers killed and injured in the line of duty, while calling for urgent action to protect, fund, and support humanitarians.
A triple crisis is confronting the humanitarian sector: record levels of violence against aid workers, historic funding shortfalls, and a crisis of legitimacy that threatens the future of humanitarian action.
This year is shaping up to be the deadliest year for humanitarian personnel on record.
In 2024, a record 383 aid workers1 were killed in the line of duty. As of August 2025, 248 have lost their lives, with staff disproportionately affected in high-risk countries such as Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Syria.
World Vision New Zealand's Acting National Director, TJ Grant says, these deadly statistics highlight the need for Governments to protect humanitarians; advocate for an end to attacks on aid workers; and guarantee safe, and unimpeded access to populations most in need.
Grant says in addition to the threats to humanitarians' lives, a 40% drop in funding is having a devasting impact on the 300 million people who are in need. World Vision's recent report, Hunger, Harm and Hard Choices, revealed children are among the hardest hit — with severe consequences for food security, protection, and education outcomes.
The 2025 Global Humanitarian Overview identifies a staggering 40% decline in humanitarian funding compared to the same period in 2024.
Families who experience cuts in emergency food aid rations are the most vulnerable and are five times more likely to be at risk of violence and trafficking and to experience poor education outcomes.
World Vision's Global Lead for Disaster Management, Isabel Gomes, says, 'Every time funding is cut, aid workers are put at greater risk, and the world's most vulnerable children are left without critical support.'
The decline in global humanitarian funding means critical services, such as emergency health and child protection, are being dismantled, and children's educations are at risk.
Despite overwhelming evidence that investing in children yields long-term returns—up to $10 for every $1 spent—global aid for children is on the decline. In 2023, according to the 'ODA at the crossroads' report, by World Vision, just 11.5% of Official Development Assistance (ODA) was directed toward child-focused initiatives, down from 13% the previous year. This drop comes at a time when children are bearing the brunt of escalating global crises—from conflict and climate shocks to hunger and displacement.
Grant says the funding crisis has prompted humanitarian organisations to scale back operations.
He says there is a failure to meet escalating global humanitarian needs and this raises questions about the international community's commitment to meet these needs.
On World Humanitarian Day (19 August), World Vision New Zealand is hosting a Parliamentary Breakfast at Parliament in Wellington to bring together Members of Parliament, diplomats, NGOs, and faith leaders to honour the lives and work of humanitarian workers globally and to urge Parliamentarians to more strongly commit to New Zealand's aid efforts.
'We need the New Zealand Government to prioritise children who make up nearly half of those in need yet receive just 5% of aid funding. We're urging the Government to commit to a roadmap to reach 0.5% of Gross National Income for Official Development Assistance by 2030,' Grant says.
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