WHO Faces Major Workforce Cuts Following US Funding Pullout
The international health organization revealed intentions to reduce its workforce by nearly a fourth – totaling over two thousand positions – before mid-2026.
Financial Crisis Prompts Major Reorganization
The decision follows following the United States, formerly the agency's largest contributor, withdrew funding earlier this year.
The US government was responsible for about 18% of the organization's overall funding, creating a substantial budgetary shortfall.
Projected Staff Reductions
Based on organizational projections, the staff will decrease from 9,401 posts in January 2025 to approximately seven thousand and thirty by mid-2026.
This reduction of two thousand three hundred and seventy-one posts comprises job cuts, employees retiring, and regular departures.
"This year has been one of the toughest in WHO's history, as we have navigated a challenging but essential journey of prioritisation and restructuring," stated the organization's leader.
Budget Shortfall Remains
The Switzerland-headquartered organization now confronts a funding gap of $1.06bn for the upcoming period, representing almost a quarter of its total funding.
This figure marks an improvement from a previous projected 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 discussions with various donors.
The representative for the organization noted that the current unsecured part of the budget is in fact lower than in previous periods, crediting this to several reasons:
- A smaller overall budget
- Initiation of a new donor outreach campaign
- An increase in participating countries' mandatory fees
The realignment initiative is currently nearing its end, paving the way for the organization to move forward with a reshaped structure.
