The huge expenses of the US for the war in Iran provoke harsh criticism at the top of the UN.
The two billion dollars spent daily by Donald Trump for the war in Iran could have financed the saving of over 87 million lives, warns Tom Fletcher, the head of the UN humanitarian agency.
"For each day of this conflict, 2 billion dollars are spent. My total target for a hyper-prioritized plan to save 87 million lives is 23 billion dollars. We could have funded this plan in less than two weeks of reckless war. Now, of course, we can't," said Fletcher, quoted by The Guardian.
Normalization of threats, a global risk
The UN official warns that not only the costs are concerning, but also the tone of public discourse.
"The idea that it's okay to say 'we'll blow things up, we'll bomb you back to the Stone Age, we'll destroy civilization' - the normalization of this kind of language is extremely dangerous," said Fletcher.
He added that such messages "give more freedom to all other aspiring autocrats in the world" to adopt similar tactics, including attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, violating international law.
"Cataclysmic" humanitarian aid crisis
Fletcher, who leads the UN's humanitarian operations, says he faces an unprecedented funding crisis. His budget is reduced by about 50%, and the target of 23 billion dollars is currently underfunded by around 10 billion.
The cuts are not only coming from the US but also from Europe, amid budget pressures and increased defense spending.
"My statistics don't look good. Money is decreasing, needs are increasing, and it's a pattern of failure, so we need to do things differently," explained the UN official.
Global effects: inflation and more poverty
The war in Iran already has chain effects on the global economy, warns Fletcher. Food and fuel inflation is approaching 20%, and the effect will be felt for a long time in vulnerable regions.
"We will feel the impact for years in sub-Saharan Africa and East Africa, pushing many more people into poverty," he said.
Relationship with the Trump administration: "a roller coaster"
Fletcher describes the UN's relations with the American administration as "a real roller coaster," but says he has managed to reduce some suspicions.
"There's a difference between the art of governance and 'real estate art'," he explained, referring to Trump's team style.
"For those in governance, the handshake comes at the end of the process... In 'real estate art,' the handshake comes first - 'do I trust this person?' and then 'let's make the deal'," Fletcher pointed out.
Dilemma of conditional funding
Another sensitive point concerns the conditions attached to external funding, including American funding, especially when they include new requirements related to issues such as abortion or transgender rights.
"The question is whether we accept this money under these conditions, knowing that it will save millions of lives or not?" said Fletcher, stating that he does not intend to accept such compromises.
The increasingly fragile international system
The UN official warns that the global order built after World War II is under pressure. The Security Council is "completely polarized," and member states no longer see it as an effective tool for maintaining peace.
At the same time, reductions in external aid - including the UK's abandonment of the 0.7% target of national income for assistance - risk amplifying life losses globally.
Call for the protection of humanitarian workers
Fletcher also drew attention to the increasing risks for humanitarian workers. Over 1,000 have been killed in the past three years, many as a result of drone attacks.
"We are the emergency services, yet it has somehow become acceptable to be killed in these proportions. There is no accountability for those who kill us," he said.
His message to global leaders is straightforward: "Don't just give us general statements anymore. Call, identify those who are killing us, stop arming those who do this."
G.P.