World Health Organization Confronts Major Staff Cuts Following US Funding Withdrawal
The international public health organization revealed intentions to reduce its workforce by almost a fourth – totaling over 2,000 jobs – before mid-2026.
Financial Shortfall Prompts Major Reorganization
This move comes following the US, previously the organization's largest donor, withdrew funding earlier this year.
The US government had been responsible for approximately 18% of the agency's total budget, creating a substantial budgetary shortfall.
Projected Workforce Reductions
According to internal estimates, the staff will decrease from 9,401 posts in January 2025 to around seven thousand and thirty by June 2026.
The decrease of 2,371 positions includes staff reductions, employees retiring, and natural departures.
"The past year has been among the most difficult in WHO's history, while we undertook a painful but essential process of prioritisation and realignment," stated the organization's director-general.
Financial Shortfall Persists
The Switzerland-headquartered body currently confronts a funding shortfall of $1.06bn for the upcoming period, representing almost a fourth of its total budget.
The figure marks an improvement from a previous projected shortfall of 1.7 billion dollars reported in May.
Not Included Funding
These financial calculations do not include an additional $1.1bn in potential funding from ongoing negotiations with multiple contributors.
The spokesperson for the agency noted that the current unsecured portion of the biennial budget is in fact smaller than in previous years, attributing this to several factors:
- Reduced overall budget
- Initiation of a new fundraising effort
- Higher in member states' mandatory fees
The restructuring process is now approaching its end, paving the way for the organization to move forward with a reshaped structure.