A new initiative known as the "Humanitarian Reset" was unveiled by the Trump administration, which also pledged to provide $2 billion to support the UN. In 2026, this funding is intended to shield millions of people across numerous nations from starvation, illness, and conflict.
UN agencies received a severe warning from the U.S. government that they had to "adapt, shrink, or die." This implies that the UN needs to reduce its size and cease squandering funds. The objective is to ensure that aid funds are allocated more effectively and only to initiatives that actually save lives.
The United States will no longer provide funding for numerous small, independent projects under this new agreement. Rather, the entire amount will be placed in a "pooled fund" overseen by an organisation known as OCHA. To ensure that every dollar is spent appropriately, new "impact and accountability" regulations will be implemented.
It is anticipated that this new aid model will save American taxpayers close to $1.9 billion. The United States wants to ensure that assistance is prompt and efficient by concentrating on outcomes in the Middle East and other areas. Future funding, according to the government, will depend on whether the UN keeps implementing these reforms.
Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, expressed gratitude for this $2 billion commitment, calling it a bold act of leadership by President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Under Secretary of State Jeremy Lewin. He emphasized that reform is central to this partnership, with OCHA committed to showing U.S. taxpayers exactly how every dollar delivers a lifesaving impact. By cutting red tape and prioritizing resources, the goal is to make humanitarian action faster and smarter to save 87 million lives in 2026.
The plan should help countries such as Sudan, Syria, Kenya, and Chad, by cutting down on bureaucracy and tracking every dollar spent to ensure it reaches those in need. By making aid faster and smarter, the goal is to provide emergency help while using diplomacy to try and end these conflicts for good
