WHO Confronts Major Staff Cuts Following US Financial Withdrawal
This international public health organization disclosed intentions to cut its staff by nearly a fourth – totaling more than two thousand positions – before the middle of 2026.
Financial Crisis Triggers Major Restructuring
The decision follows after the US, previously the organization's biggest contributor, pulled out funding earlier this year.
Washington had been responsible for about 18% of the organization's overall budget, creating a substantial financial gap.
Projected Staff Cuts
Based on internal projections, the staff is expected to drop from nine thousand four hundred and one positions in January 2025 to around seven thousand and thirty by June 2026.
The reduction of two thousand three hundred and seventy-one posts comprises staff reductions, employees retiring, and natural attrition.
"The past year has been among the toughest in our history, as we have navigated a painful but essential journey of prioritisation and restructuring," commented the agency's leader.
Financial Gap Remains
The Geneva-based organization currently faces a funding shortfall of 1.06 billion dollars for the upcoming biennium, amounting to nearly a quarter of its required budget.
This amount represents an improvement from a previous projected shortfall of $1.7bn noted in spring.
Not Included Funding
The financial projections do not include a further 1.1 billion dollars in expected funding from ongoing negotiations with various contributors.
The representative for the agency noted that the current unsecured part of the budget is actually smaller than in earlier periods, attributing this to several factors:
- Reduced total budget
- The launch of a new fundraising campaign
- An increase in participating countries' required fees
This restructuring initiative is currently approaching its end, allowing the organization to move forward with a reshaped operational model.
