'Brutal funding cuts' for aid putting millions at risk: UN refugee chief

Dramatic aid cuts globally are putting millions of lives at risk, the UN refugee chief warned Thursday, as the agency braces for layoffs amid the US foreign aid funding freeze.

"Brutal funding cuts in the humanitarian sector are putting millions of lives at risk," Filippo Grandi said in a statement.

"The consequences for people fleeing danger will be immediate and devastating," the UN high commissioner for refugees warned.

"Most refugees stay close to home. Slashing aid will make the world less safe, driving more desperate people to become refugees or keep moving onwards."

Grandi did not explicitly mention the United States, traditionally the world's largest donor, and currently source of the biggest cuts roiling the global humanitarian sector.

But like many humanitarian agencies, Grandi's UNHCR agency has been reeling since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, pushing an anti-refugee and anti-migrant agenda and immediately freezing most US foreign aid funding.

The United Nations' refugee agency told AFP last month that it planned to cut "some 600 staff positions" out of a global workforce of around 20,000, of which the vast majority work in the field.

And a humanitarian source -- which had relied on the United States to cover over 40 percent of its budget -- told AFP internal communication had gone out saying more layoffs were looming.

Grandi did not mention the impact on UNCHR staff, focusing instead on the dire consequences cuts were already having on some of the world's most vulnerable people.

"Refugee women and girls at extreme risk of rape and other abuse are already losing access to services that kept them safe," he said.

"Children are being left without teachers or schools, pushing them into child labour, trafficking, or early marriage. Refugee communities will have less shelter, water and food."

Grandi highlighted that his agency had "sought innovative and efficient ways to deliver its mission, making the most of every donation for those fleeing danger".

"Over 90 percent of our staff are on the front lines, delivering for affected communities," he said, pointing out that UNHCR and its partners "responded to 43 refugee emergencies last year alone".

"With less funding, fewer staff and a smaller UNHCR presence in countries hosting refugees, the equation is simple: lives will be lost."

Grandi insisted that "this is not just a funding shortfall" but "a crisis of responsibility".

"We appeal to member states to honour their commitments to displaced people."