Building on the regional analysis given above, this section shifts to country-level spending in crisis-affected contexts, applying a HDP nexus framework.⁷³ Through disaggregating expenses by country, the analysis provides a more granular view of how UN resources were spent in 2023, unpacking the UN system’s funding priorities in those countries most affected by crisis. Figure 32 illustrates UN expenses in the 30 crisis-affected countries with total expenses over US$ 200 million in 2023.⁷⁴

In 2023, UN expenses across all the 39 crisis-affected countries totalled US$ 35.3 billion. Afghanistan recorded the highest overall UN expenses among the group at US$ 3.2 billion, with humanitarian assistance the dominant component (72%). South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo followed close behind – each received over US$ 2.4 billion, reflecting the scale and persistence of the complex, long-term crises at play. Yemen, Ukraine and Lebanon also ranked among the top recipients, with total UN expenses ranging from US$ 2.0 to US$ 2.3 billion. Altogether, nearly half the 2023 UN expenses in crisis-affected countries was directed towards these seven countries (US$ 17.2 billion in total).

In countries hosting ongoing UN peacekeeping operations, peace- and security-related expenses accounted for a major share of total UN expenses in 2023. In the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and Mali (MINUSMA), the share reached 77% and 75% respectively, while in both the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and South Sudan (UNMISS) it was 45%. In Somalia, where the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM)’s mandate expired on 31 October 2023, the share was 34%. Collectively, these five peace operations accounted for 80% of all peace- and security-related expenses across the 39 crisis-affected countries.

Humanitarian assistance dominated spending in most crisis-affected contexts, accounting for 90% of total UN spending in the case of three settings: the State of Palestine, Syria and Ukraine. Notably in this regard, the number of refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people, returnees and stateless individuals surged between 2018 and 2023, from 74.8 million to 122.6 million.⁷⁵ Development assistance was for the most part significantly lower than humanitarian assistance in most crisis-affected countries, although some countries – such as Burundi, Pakistan, Mozambique and Colombia – featured a more balanced profile, suggesting a focus on post-crisis recovery or support for populations affected by protracted displacement.

Another important consideration is that UN entities (and their partners) may face greater costs, risks and operational constraints during periods of rising insecurity. Operational conditions are further undermined by fragile governance, damaged infrastructure and disrupted supply chains, while bureaucratic obstacles, restricted access and limited engagement with official or de facto authorities frequently lead to breaks in operational continuity. Increasingly complex,  high-risk environments compound these various challenges, making programme implementation ever more hazardous.