Localisation: International humanitarians hesitate to follow Save the Children’s lead in pulling out of UN country funds

News January 20, 2026 / By: Ann Danaiya Usher

Save the Children has stopped taking grants from the UN country-based pooled funds, wiping out USD 40 million in funding and shaking up the humanitarian scene. The purpose was to make room for local actors, and Save the Children has called on other big NGOs to do the same. Development Today asked eight of them, including Danish Refugee Council, CARE, Norwegian Refugee Council and Oxfam, whether they will follow suit. Here is what they said.

Families who fled DRC arrive at a transit centre at the DRC-Burundi border - Habib Dushime - Save the Children.JPG — Families fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo last month arrive at a transit centre at the DRC-Burundi border. (Photo by Habib Dushime / Save the Children)

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