Millions of Lives at Risk from 'Brutal' Funding Cuts, UN Refugee Chief Says

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi speaks during press a conference in Beirut, Lebanon , October 6, 2024. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki/File Photo
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi speaks during press a conference in Beirut, Lebanon , October 6, 2024. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki/File Photo
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Millions of Lives at Risk from 'Brutal' Funding Cuts, UN Refugee Chief Says

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi speaks during press a conference in Beirut, Lebanon , October 6, 2024. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki/File Photo
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi speaks during press a conference in Beirut, Lebanon , October 6, 2024. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki/File Photo

Millions of lives are at risk from "brutal funding cuts" from donors, the UN refugee chief said on Thursday, warning that already displaced women are at greater risk of rape and that children were being pushed into trafficking or early marriage.

"Brutal funding cuts in the humanitarian sector are putting millions of lives at risk," said Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in a statement which did not mention its top donor the United States by name.

"The consequences for people fleeing danger will be immediate and devastating," he noted.

US President Donald Trump's administration has announced major funding cuts that have sparked mayhem around the world and whose impacts on millions of vulnerable people are now emerging.



Pope Francis Plans to Make First Public Appearance in Five Weeks on Sunday

In this Oct. 24, 2015 file photo, Pope Francis carries his coat and documents as he leaves after a morning session of the last day of the Synod of bishops, at the Vatican. (AP)
In this Oct. 24, 2015 file photo, Pope Francis carries his coat and documents as he leaves after a morning session of the last day of the Synod of bishops, at the Vatican. (AP)
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Pope Francis Plans to Make First Public Appearance in Five Weeks on Sunday

In this Oct. 24, 2015 file photo, Pope Francis carries his coat and documents as he leaves after a morning session of the last day of the Synod of bishops, at the Vatican. (AP)
In this Oct. 24, 2015 file photo, Pope Francis carries his coat and documents as he leaves after a morning session of the last day of the Synod of bishops, at the Vatican. (AP)

Pope Francis plans to make his first appearance in five weeks on Sunday, offering a blessing from the window of his room at Rome's Gemelli Hospital as he battles double pneumonia, the Vatican said.

Francis, 88, was admitted to the hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that has required evolving treatment.

The pope has only been seen once during his hospital stay, in a photo the Vatican released last week, showing the pontiff at prayer in a hospital chapel.

Francis wants to come to the hospital window around noon-time on Sunday to give a greeting and blessing, the Vatican said in a brief statement on Saturday.

The pope usually offers a weekly noon-time prayer in St. Peter's Square on Sundays. Francis has not been able to do so since February 9, before going to hospital.

The Vatican said Francis was not expected to deliver the prayer this Sunday, in a sign that the pope is still recovering from pneumonia, but would come to the window for a greeting.