UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations has appealed for more than $45.3 billion for its global humanitarian needs in 2025, but only 21 percent, or $9.6 billion, had been received as of the end of September, a UN spokesperson said Tuesday.

"Our colleagues from OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) warn that with fewer than three months left in the year, our appeal to meet global humanitarian needs in 2025 is less than a quarter funded," Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, told a daily briefing.

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The number showed a staggering decrease of over 40 percent compared to the same time last year, he said, adding that these funding gaps are having devastating consequences for millions, leaving people without healthcare, families without food and children without education, said Haq.

In Afghanistan, more than 420 health facilities have closed this year, forcing 3 million people to go without critical care. In Somalia, food aid had to be slashed, which means only 350,000 people will receive support in November, compared to 1.1 million people in August. In Bangladesh, half a million Rohingya refugee children have lost access to education in Cox's Bazar, Haq said, citing OCHA.

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The United Nations and its partners are doing all they can to reach as many vulnerable people as possible with the limited funding available, said Haq, calling on donors to step up their investment in humanitarian aid.