25% of Red Cross' anticipated budget for 2023 may not be met

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The Red Cross is preparing for a shortfall of up to a quarter of its 2023 budget, its chief told Swiss media Tuesday, noting the deficit could result in the suspension of some activities, according to media reports.

Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Robert Mardini told the Le Temps newspaper that the organization worries it may fall short of raising as much as 500 to 700 million Swiss francs ($540 -750 million) of its 2.79 billion franc budget.

If confirmed, he cautioned: "We will not have the means to help populations in the difficult-to-access areas, where our presence is the most important."

The conflict in Ukraine, rising prices, increasing donor fatigue amid a confluence of conflicts and other crises are to blame for the shortfall, he said.

"There are obviously fewer donations for humanitarian aid in general," Mardini told broadcaster RTS. "This tendency is intensifying now with the war in Ukraine."

"If the donors don't step up, we will need to revise down our ambitions," he said.