As global crises deepen and aid budgets shrink to their lowest in a decade, Scotland’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund is helping deliver life-saving support — from Sudan and Congo to Afghanistan — proving that solidarity still matters, says Frances Guy

It is right that at year end our thoughts turn to those less fortunate, shivering in tents as a result of forced displacement, or earthquakes, or fleeing conflict. 2025 has been a difficult year for many across the world, with increased conflict, increased typhoons, hurricanes and floods and, for many, a worrisome increase in the language of division that undermine cooperation and solidarity here and around the world. Claims of action to build peace seem far from the daily reality for many.

OCHA, the United Nations body that coordinates aid response around the world notes in its recent report that humanitarian organisations and their local partners are over-stretched, under-funded and under attack - facing widespread brutality, impunity and indifference.

Following deep cuts to the US aid budget and significant reductions in overseas development assistance here in the UK too, the global humanitarian aid budget is at its lowest level for a decade. Limited funds means that the most........

© Herald Scotland