The Impact of Funding Cuts on Children and their Protection in Humanitarian Contexts: An Analysis One Year On

This global brief examines how sustained humanitarian funding cuts since early 2025 are affecting children’s safety, access to protection services, and the overall capacity of child protection systems across humanitarian contexts. Drawing on insights from 401 practitioners across 68 countries, alongside key informant interviews, the analysis shows that what began as short-term financial disruption has evolved into systemic deterioration — marked by rising protection risks, shrinking services, workforce strain, and reduced ability to meet the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action .

The brief highlights widespread reductions in child protection coverage, disruptions to core interventions such as case management and psychosocial support, and growing reliance on under-resourced community-based mechanisms. It also documents the disproportionate impact of funding cuts on national and local actors, raising concerns for the sustainability of frontline protection efforts and progress on localisation commitments.

To support advocacy and dissemination efforts, a series of data infographics based on the findings are also available. These visual resources are designed to help practitioners, networks, and partners communicate the scale and implications of the funding crisis and advocate for strengthened investment in child protection across humanitarian responses.

The report concludes with key recommendations for donors, governments, coordination bodies, and implementing partners to help stabilise financing, protect service quality and technical capacity, and safeguard children’s rights and well-being.