The UN Human Rights chief requests more than 300 million euros to address humanitarian needs

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, requested this Thursday 400 million dollars (about 338 million euros) to address humanitarian needs at a global level, while warning of the significant worsening of crises.

“The cost of our work is low, but the human cost of the lack of funds is immeasurable,” said Turk, in a statement in which he emphasized that, “in times of conflict and peace,” his office serves as “a lifeline for those who suffer abuse, and a megaphone for those who are silenced.”

Likewise, he has expressed that “addressing inequalities and respecting economic and social rights” is a “vital” issue for peace and stability. “Human Rights make economies work for everyone, instead of increasing exclusion and accentuating instability,” he noted.

Turk has also taken the opportunity to emphasize that the work of the office he heads “provides credible information on atrocities and trends in Human Rights at a time when the truth is being eroded by misinformation and censorship.”

“It allows,” he said, “to deliver evidence of vital importance for accountability.” “There is a simple idea but with a powerful impact: that the physical presence on the ground of trained humanitarian workers reduces harm and human rights violations,” the text states.

In 2025, the office approved a budget of 246 million dollars (about 208 million euros), but only received 191.5 million dollars (162 million euros), leaving a hole of more than 50 million dollars (about 42 million euros).

“Historically, Human Rights represent an extremely small portion of total UN spending. We need to intensify support for this low-cost, high-impact work, which helps provide stability to communities, builds trust in institutions and promotes lasting peace,” he said, while calling for greater contributions to “respond quickly” to crises.