Speaking at a UN session, Antonio Guterres warned that chronic funding shortages and record humanitarian needs were pushing the system to "critical" levels.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks in New York, USA. (Photo: THX/TTXVN)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on June 21 highlighted what he called a "chronic underfunding" of humanitarian operations globally despite growing humanitarian needs.

According to a VNA correspondent in Geneva, speaking at a session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, Mr. Antonio Guterres warned that the persistent lack of funding and record humanitarian relief needs are pushing the system to a "critical" state.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the United Nations has only received 20% of the funding needed for the first half of 2023, creating a "crisis within a crisis."

Without a solution to this budget crisis, further cuts to humanitarian aid are inevitable.

Previously, on June 19, international donors pledged nearly $1.5 billion in aid to Sudan - a country affected by a severe humanitarian crisis that has forced 2.2 million people to leave their homes.

Before the conference, the United Nations said it had only received 17% of the $2.57 billion appeal for humanitarian aid in Sudan this year and 15% of the $500 million appeal to support refugees fleeing the country./.

Mr. Hien (Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)