WHO Faces Significant Staff Reduction Following United States Funding Withdrawal
This international public health agency has announced plans to cut its staff by almost a fourth – amounting to over 2,000 jobs – before mid-2026.
Financial Shortfall Prompts Major Restructuring
The move follows following the United States, formerly the agency's largest donor, pulled out funding previously this period.
The US government was responsible for approximately 18% of the organization's total budget, creating a substantial budgetary shortfall.
Projected Staff Cuts
Based on organizational estimates, the staff is expected to drop from nine thousand four hundred and one positions in early 2025 to approximately seven thousand and thirty by mid-2026.
The decrease of 2,371 positions comprises staff reductions, employees retiring, and regular attrition.
"The past year has been among the most difficult in our history, while we have navigated a challenging but essential process of prioritization and restructuring," commented the agency's leader.
Financial Gap Remains
The Geneva-based body currently confronts a funding shortfall of 1.06 billion dollars for the upcoming period, amounting to almost a fourth of its total funding.
The figure marks an reduction from a previous projected gap of 1.7 billion dollars reported in spring.
Excluded Funding
The financial calculations exclude a further $1.1bn in potential contributions from ongoing discussions with various contributors.
The spokesperson for the organization stated that the present unsecured part of the budget is actually lower than in previous years, attributing this to several factors:
- Reduced overall budget
- Initiation of a new donor outreach effort
- An increase in member states' required fees
The restructuring process is now approaching its completion, paving the way for the agency to progress with a reshaped structure.
