WHO Confronts Significant Staff Cuts After US Financial Withdrawal
The international health agency revealed intentions to cut its workforce by nearly a quarter – totaling over 2,000 jobs – before mid-2026.
Funding Crisis Triggers Substantial Reorganization
This decision follows after the United States, previously the agency's largest donor, pulled out financial support previously this period.
The US government had been contributing about 18% of the agency's total budget, causing a significant budgetary gap.
Projected Staff Cuts
Based on organizational estimates, the workforce is expected to drop from 9,401 positions in early 2025 to around seven thousand and thirty by mid-2026.
The reduction of 2,371 positions comprises job cuts, retirements, and regular departures.
"The past year was one of the most difficult in our existence, while we have navigated a painful but essential process of prioritization and realignment," stated the agency's director-general.
Budget Gap Persists
This Geneva-based body currently confronts a budget shortfall of 1.06 billion dollars for the upcoming biennium, amounting to almost a quarter of its total budget.
The figure marks an improvement from a previous projected shortfall of $1.7bn noted in spring.
Excluded Funding
The financial projections exclude an additional $1.1bn in potential funding from current discussions with various donors.
The spokesperson for the agency stated that the current unsecured part of the biennial budget is actually smaller than in previous years, crediting this to several factors:
- Reduced overall budget
- The launch of a new donor outreach campaign
- An increase in member states' mandatory contributions
The realignment initiative is currently nearing its end, paving the way for the agency to move forward with a reshaped structure.
