WHO Confronts Significant Staff Cuts After United States Funding Withdrawal
The international health organization revealed plans to cut its workforce by nearly a fourth – amounting to more than 2,000 jobs – by the middle of 2026.
Funding Shortfall Prompts Major Restructuring
This move comes after the US, formerly the organization's largest donor, withdrew financial support previously this year.
The US government had been contributing about 18% of the agency's total budget, creating a substantial financial shortfall.
Projected Workforce Reductions
Based on organizational projections, the workforce will decrease from 9,401 positions in January 2025 to around 7,030 by mid-2026.
This decrease of two thousand three hundred and seventy-one posts includes staff reductions, employees retiring, and natural departures.
"This year was among the most difficult in WHO's history, as we have navigated a challenging but essential process of prioritization and restructuring," commented the organization's director-general.
Budget Gap Persists
The Switzerland-headquartered organization now faces a budget gap of 1.06 billion dollars for the 2026-2027 period, amounting to almost a fourth of its total funding.
The amount represents an improvement from a previous estimated shortfall of 1.7 billion dollars noted in spring.
Not Included Finances
These budget projections exclude a further 1.1 billion dollars in expected contributions from ongoing negotiations with multiple contributors.
The spokesperson for the organization noted that the current unsecured portion of the biennial budget is in fact smaller than in earlier years, attributing this to multiple reasons:
- A smaller overall budget
- The launch of a fresh fundraising effort
- An increase in participating countries' required contributions
This restructuring process is now nearing its completion, paving the way for the organization to progress with a reshaped structure.
