The United States has announced more than $1 billion in humanitarian and disaster response assistance to UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP), targeting life-saving support across more than 40 countries.
The funding comprises over $218 million for UNICEF and more than $800 million for WFP, delivered through new global awards designed to replace fragmented grant structures with a more consolidated funding model.
According to the U.S. government in a statement issued yesterday, the new approach is intended to improve speed, accountability, and impact by reducing administrative duplication and allowing implementing partners to mobilise resources more quickly, in some cases within 24 hours.
The announcement builds on the December 2025 “Humanitarian Reset” memorandum of understanding with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which introduced reforms aimed at improving coordination, efficiency, and oversight across humanitarian operations.
Under the framework, funding is channelled through vetted implementing organisations based on performance standards and measurable outcomes, with a focus on directing resources to areas of highest need.
The State Department said the model is designed to strengthen UN humanitarian reform efforts by streamlining delivery systems, improving transparency, and reducing operational costs.
UNICEF and WFP will deploy the new funding across food security, nutrition, health, child protection, logistics, and water and sanitation programmes in crisis-affected countries, including Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Ukraine.
The assistance will follow a prioritisation system intended to target the most urgent humanitarian needs while ensuring faster response to both ongoing crises and sudden emergencies.
The State Department added that it will continue working with implementing partners, including UNICEF, WFP, Catholic Relief Services, and OCHA, to improve coordination and ensure efficient delivery of aid.
It said the goal is to build a faster, more accountable and impact-driven humanitarian system that reduces waste while expanding life-saving support to vulnerable populations.