UNHCR Urges Long-Term Funding Model as Refugee Crises Persist

By Peter Luzinda 

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called for a fundamental shift in how refugee programmes are financed, warning that the growing number of people in prolonged displacement is stretching humanitarian systems to their limits.

The agency said current funding structures—largely dependent on short-term donor contributions—are increasingly inadequate in addressing long-term refugee needs. It stressed the importance of predictable, multi-year financing that can sustain essential services and support long-term planning.

According to UNHCR, many refugee situations now last for years, with host countries bearing the brunt of the burden. These nations often struggle to maintain services such as education, healthcare, and housing for both refugees and local populations amid inconsistent funding flows.

“Displacement is no longer a short-term emergency in many parts of the world. It requires consistent investment and a development-oriented approach,” the agency noted.

UNHCR is advocating for closer collaboration between humanitarian and development actors, including international financial institutions, to ensure refugees are integrated into national systems. This, it says, would promote self-reliance and reduce dependency on aid over time.

The agency also warned that without reforms in financing, critical refugee programmes risk disruption, potentially worsening living conditions and increasing vulnerability among displaced populations.

As global crises continue to drive displacement, UNHCR emphasized that a more stable and forward-looking funding approach is essential to ensure both refugees and host communities receive sustained support.