WHO Confronts Major Staff Reduction After US Funding Withdrawal
The international health organization disclosed plans to cut its workforce by almost a fourth – amounting to over two thousand jobs – by mid-2026.
Financial Crisis Triggers Major Restructuring
This decision follows following the US, previously the agency's biggest donor, withdrew funding earlier this period.
The US government was contributing about 18% of the organization's overall budget, creating a significant financial gap.
Expected Staff Cuts
According to organizational projections, the staff will decrease from nine thousand four hundred and one positions in early 2025 to around 7,030 by June 2026.
The reduction of two thousand three hundred and seventy-one positions comprises staff reductions, employees retiring, and natural departures.
"This year has been among the most difficult in WHO's history, as we have navigated a painful but necessary process of prioritization and restructuring," commented the organization's leader.
Financial Shortfall Persists
The Switzerland-headquartered body now confronts a funding shortfall of 1.06 billion dollars for the 2026-2027 period, amounting to nearly a fourth of its total funding.
This figure represents an improvement from a prior projected shortfall of $1.7bn noted in spring.
Excluded Finances
The financial calculations do not include an additional 1.1 billion dollars in potential contributions from ongoing negotiations with various donors.
The spokesperson for the agency stated that the current unfunded part of the biennial budget is in fact lower than in previous periods, attributing this to multiple factors:
- Reduced overall budget
- The launch of a new donor outreach campaign
- Higher in member states' required contributions
This realignment initiative is now approaching its end, paving the way for the agency to progress with a renewed structure.
