World Health Organization Faces Significant Workforce Cuts After US Funding Withdrawal
The international health organization revealed intentions to cut its staff by nearly a fourth – amounting to over 2,000 jobs – by the middle of 2026.
Financial Shortfall Triggers Major Restructuring
The decision follows after the US, previously the organization's largest contributor, withdrew financial support earlier this period.
Washington had been contributing approximately 18% of the agency's overall budget, creating a substantial budgetary shortfall.
Projected Staff Cuts
Based on internal estimates, the workforce is expected to drop from 9,401 positions in January 2025 to approximately 7,030 by mid-2026.
This reduction of 2,371 posts comprises job cuts, employees retiring, and natural departures.
"This year was among the most difficult in WHO's existence, while we undertook a painful but necessary process of prioritization and restructuring," commented the organization's leader.
Budget Shortfall Persists
The Geneva-based body now confronts a funding shortfall of $1.06bn for the 2026-2027 biennium, amounting to almost a quarter of its total budget.
This figure marks an improvement from a prior estimated shortfall of $1.7bn reported in spring.
Excluded Finances
The financial projections exclude a further 1.1 billion dollars in expected contributions from current negotiations with various donors.
The spokesperson for the agency stated that the current unfunded portion of the biennial budget is in fact lower than in previous periods, crediting this to several factors:
- Reduced total budget
- Initiation of a fresh fundraising campaign
- An increase in member states' required contributions
This restructuring process is now nearing its completion, paving the way for the agency to progress with a renewed structure.
