The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned that the world is facing one of its worst humanitarian crises with the lowest funding levels in recent history. At the International Government Communication Forum 2025 in Sharjah, UNHCR Communications Officer Khaled Kabbara revealed that only 23 percent of the agency's $10 billion appeal has been met this year.

Kabbara explained that around 11 million people have lost access to essential services due to the lack of funding. He stressed that UNHCR can only meet a fraction of the urgent needs, leaving millions without proper support. Despite this, he highlighted the resilience of refugees and the dedication of humanitarian workers.

The officer reminded the audience that behind every statistic lies a human story. Families are forced to leave everything behind overnight to protect their loved ones. Hope, Kabbara noted, remains one of the strongest tools in helping refugees rebuild their lives and maintain faith in humanity.

A panel discussion titled "Quality of Life for Refugees Starts with an Idea and a Mission" featured speakers including Issa Al-Habib, content creator; Jennifer Greco, account director at Adyen; and Maywand Jabarkhyl, CEO of the Fatima Bint Mohamed bin Zayed Initiative. The session focused on practical solutions for refugee support.

Greco highlighted Adyen's global effort to simplify donations through technology. The company has raised $25 million for refugees and pledged to reach $100 million by 2030. This model lowers barriers for private companies to participate in humanitarian aid.

Al-Habib praised the UNHCR Refugee Zakat Fund App, launched in 2021, for making Zakat and Sadaqah donations easy and transparent. The app calculates Zakat, directs contributions to refugees, and ensures donors know exactly who benefits from their support.

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