World Health Organization Faces Major Staff Cuts Following US Financial Withdrawal

This global health organization disclosed plans to cut its staff by almost a quarter – amounting to more than 2,000 positions – before mid-2026.

Funding Crisis Triggers Substantial Restructuring

The decision comes after the US, previously the organization's largest donor, pulled out financial support earlier this year.

Washington had been contributing about 18% of the agency's overall funding, causing a substantial financial gap.

Expected Staff Reductions

According to internal estimates, the workforce is expected to drop from 9,401 posts in January 2025 to around seven thousand and thirty by mid-2026.

The decrease of 2,371 positions comprises job cuts, employees retiring, and regular departures.

"This year has been among the most difficult in our history, while we have navigated a challenging but essential process of prioritisation and realignment," stated the agency's leader.

Budget 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 budget.

The figure marks an improvement from a previous projected shortfall of 1.7 billion dollars noted in May.

Not Included Finances

The financial calculations do not include a further 1.1 billion dollars in potential funding from ongoing negotiations with various donors.

The representative for the organization stated that the present unsecured part of the budget is in fact lower than in previous years, attributing this to several reasons:

• A smaller total budget
• Initiation of a fresh fundraising effort
• Higher in participating countries' mandatory fees

The realignment process is currently approaching its end, allowing the organization to move forward with a reshaped operational model.