UN rights chief appeals for KSh51 billion amid funding cuts and rising crises

GENEVA - The United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk called on donor countries to provide $400 million in voluntary contributions for 2026, equivalent to KSh51 billion, to cover urgent needs as global crises intensify and funding from key supporters declines.

Türk delivered the appeal in Geneva on February 5, describing the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) as stuck in "survival mode, delivering under strain." He pointed to last year's shortfall of $90 million, which led to 300 job cuts and forced the office to scale back operations sharply.

The office carried out less than half the number of human rights monitoring missions in 2025 compared with the previous year. It also reduced its presence in 17 countries. Specific programmes suffered heavy reductions: the Myanmar operation was cut by more than 60%, hampering evidence collection on violations, while efforts to prevent gender-based violence and protect LGBTIQ+ rights worldwide faced cuts of up to 75%.

These reductions, Türk said, have left gaps that allow more hate speech, attacks, and fewer laws to curb them. He cautioned that the world cannot afford a human rights system in crisis, especially with ongoing violations in places such as Gaza, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine, and Myanmar.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, a UN probe into possible war crimes has struggled to become fully operational because of limited resources. Türk highlighted how funding constraints tie the hands of investigators and limit support for UN Security Council discussions and international courts.

The appeal amount of $400 million is $100 million lower than the previous year's request, reflecting the office's scaled-back ambitions after donor contributions from the United States and European countries fell. The UN General Assembly approved a regular budget of $224.3 million for the office in 2026, a 10 per cent drop from 2025, with further uncertainty due to the broader UN liquidity issues.

Voluntary contributions make up the bulk of the office's operational funding beyond the assessed regular budget. Last year, the office received far less than appealed for, forcing the reductions that Türk now seeks to reverse or at least stabilise.

The OHCHR mandate includes investigating rights violations, monitoring compliance, and providing technical assistance to states. Its work feeds into broader UN efforts on accountability and prevention of abuses. Türk stressed that while human rights funding forms a small part of overall UN expenditure, underinvestment carries high human costs by allowing impunity and instability to grow.

He urged member states to increase support, noting that the office's activities help stabilise communities, strengthen institutions, and contribute to lasting peace. The appeal comes as conflicts and crises continue to generate demands for monitoring, reporting, and protection that exceed current capacity.

No direct mention was made of specific impacts in Kenya, though the office's regional work in Africa covers situations in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo among others.