Geneva, October 12 (QNA) - The United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, warned of the severe funding shortage that will force the UNHCR to make unfortunate financial cuts in humanitarian missions around the world.

In UNHCR's session of the Executive Committee in Geneva, Salih stated that the UNHCR only guaranteed USD 3 billion, representing 35 percent of the funding needed for 2026 (USD 8.5 billion).

He said that the estimates for next year's funding are still vague. It currently points to about USD 2.68 billion, with the possibility of the number improving following December's Pledging Conference in Geneva.

In one of the most drastic restructurings in its history, the number of employees in the UNHCR went from 20,000 in 2024 to about 12,000 due to financial pressures, Salih revealed.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees warned as well that restructuring can not fully solve the financial shortage issue. The funding crisis started to leave tangible consequences on refugees and partners in the humanitarian field.

  "There is a difference between doing more with less and being asked to do the impossible", he added in his statement in the session. (QNA)