Global Humanitarian Overview 2025 (Kuwait concept note)

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The Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) presents global trends in crises and humanitarian needs, how the humanitarian community responds and what is required to implement humanitarian plans. This document – produced by OCHA, on behalf of the humanitarian community – highlights collective achievements, helps mobilize resources, and articulates the cost of inaction when we are unable to respond.

The GHO 2025, launched in December 2024 will reflect on the humanitarian landscape and the main drivers of humanitarian need: conflict and climate shocks. It will examine response challenges such as widespread insecurity for aid workers and look at response trends and evolving practices in support of accountability to affected people and localization.

The year ahead presents a bleak picture. Violent conflicts have become entrenched and expanding, while climate shocks are increasing in number and severity, affecting millions of people. While the breadth and depth of humanitarian needs continue to grow, and humanitarian actors ensure plans are targeting those most affected, the funding outlook for collective humanitarian work is dire. As of 30 October, only 37.6 per cent of the global appeal is funded and resourcing shortfalls have directly impacted the people in crisis whom we serve. As 2025 approaches, it is more vital than ever to ensure that adequate capacity and sufficient resources are available to effectively address global humanitarian requirements.

On 4 December 2024, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), will host three launches of the 2025 Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) in Kuwait City, Kuwait (in partnership with the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs), in Geneva, Switzerland; and in Nairobi, Kenya (in partnership with the African Union).

The overarching theme of the GHO 2025 launch is “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities”, reflecting the collective commitment to inclusive and effective humanitarian action. The event in Kuwait will add a specific focus on humanitarian diplomacy.

GHO 2025 launch in Kuwait: “Collective Action in Humanitarian Diplomacy”

The frequency, intensity, and complexity of humanitarian crises has grown in recent years, exacerbated by conflict, climate change, and economic instability. New geo-political trends, restrictive policies, the diverse range of actors and increased bureaucratic and administrative impediments contribute to an increasingly constrained humanitarian space and an often politicized operating environment. As a result, the demand for engaging in effective humanitarian diplomacy to bridge these gaps by fostering dialogue, negotiating access, and ensuring the protection of civilians and aid workers has significantly grown.

As the humanitarian landscape evolves, promoting stronger diplomatic engagement at all levels – bilateral, multilateral, and grassroots – is essential to navigating the complex intersection of political will and humanitarian crises. Such engagement will contribute to a more coordinated, inclusive, and effective delivery of humanitarian action. The launch of the GHO 2025 in Kuwait will focus on collective efforts to address humanitarian crises, including through increased political commitment, humanitarian diplomacy to ensure access to affected populations and adequate resources to deliver dignified, effective and inclusive life-saving assistance to those in need.