United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has once again sounded the alarm, warning in an urgent message to member states that the international organization is facing a severe liquidity crisis that could lead to imminent financial collapse . Guterres called on countries to fulfill their financial obligations and pay their dues in full and without delay, or to initiate a thorough review of the organization's financial regulations to prevent the paralysis of its vital operations worldwide.
Historical context of a recurring crisis
This financial crisis is not the first of its kind in the history of the United Nations. Founded in 1945, the organization relies primarily on mandatory contributions from its 193 member states to fund its regular budget and peacekeeping operations. Each country's contribution is determined based on its ability to pay, taking into account factors such as gross national product and per capita income. Historically, the failure of some major countries, particularly the United States, the largest contributor, to pay their dues has led to periodic liquidity crises, placing the organization in a precarious position and forcing it to implement austerity measures and postpone some of its essential programs.
Expected impact on global humanitarian operations
Any financial difficulties faced by the United Nations extend far beyond its administrative offices in New York and Geneva, impacting millions of people who depend on its aid for survival. The crisis directly threatens the ability of its specialized agencies to respond to disasters and humanitarian crises. For example, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has indicated that more than 18,000 people in the Gaza Strip urgently need medical evacuations for treatment abroad—operations that require international coordination and funding. Any shortfall in financial resources could hinder vital efforts such as those undertaken by the World Health Organization, which facilitated the evacuation of 24 sick children from Gaza to Jordan, part of a total of 377 patients evacuated since October 2023.
Cash assistance programs, which aim to help families secure food and improve their living conditions in conflict zones, also face significant challenges and are entirely dependent on sustained funding. The collapse of the UN's financial system would mean the cessation of this aid, exacerbating human suffering, threatening to destabilize already fragile regions, and undermining peacekeeping and preventive diplomacy efforts, which are cornerstones of the UN Charter.
