News outlets discuss findings from a new report by the U.N. High-Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing.

Associated Press: U.N. panel: $40 billion needed to aid people in war, disasters
“An estimated $40 billion is needed annually to help the rapidly growing number of people needing humanitarian aid as a result of conflicts and natural disasters — and one possibility to help fill the $15 billion funding gap is a small voluntary tax on tickets for soccer games and other sports, concerts and entertainment events, airline travel, and gasoline, a U.N.-appointed panel said…” (Batrawy/Lederer, 1/17).

The Guardian: Fix the aid system or you will fail the poor, experts warn world leaders
“The world’s overstretched humanitarian system needs substantial reform, new sources of funding, and greater efficiency to safeguard a global public good simply ‘too important to fail,’ a new study says…” (Chonghaile/Rankin, 1/17).

IRIN: U.N. aid panel calls for ‘grand bargain’ on finance
“…In addition to calling for more ‘collaborative efficiency’ under what it calls a ‘grand bargain’ between donors and aid actors, the 31-page document also appeals for: more engagement with the private sector; better channeling of Islamic social financing; and the possible introduction of solidarity levies to fund humanitarian responses…” (Redvers, 1/18).

U.N. News Centre: Despite age of ‘mega-crises,’ U.N. chief says humanitarian finance gap is a ‘solvable problem’
“… ‘I believe the panel has seized this opportunity and delivered,’ [U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon] stated, thanking them for the important contribution to shaping the priorities for the World Humanitarian Summit, scheduled next May in Istanbul. ‘In a few weeks I will publish my report and vision for the future humanitarian agenda. I will build on the excellent report launched today to shape this important thinking’…” (1/17).