WHO Confronts Significant Workforce Cuts After US Funding Withdrawal
The global public health agency disclosed intentions to reduce its staff by nearly a quarter – totaling more than two thousand jobs – before mid-2026.
Financial Shortfall Triggers Substantial Reorganization
The decision comes following the United States, formerly the agency's largest contributor, withdrew funding earlier this year.
Washington had been responsible for about 18% of the agency's total budget, creating a significant budgetary shortfall.
Expected Workforce Reductions
According to organizational projections, the staff is expected to drop from nine thousand four hundred and one posts in early 2025 to approximately 7,030 by mid-2026.
This reduction of 2,371 positions includes staff reductions, retirements, and natural attrition.
"The past year was one of the most difficult in our history, as we have navigated a painful but necessary process of prioritisation and realignment," stated the agency's leader.
Budget Gap Remains
This Geneva-based body now faces a funding gap of $1.06bn for the upcoming period, amounting to nearly a quarter of its total budget.
The amount represents an improvement from a previous projected gap of $1.7bn noted in spring.
Not Included Funding
These financial projections exclude a further 1.1 billion dollars in expected contributions from current negotiations with various contributors.
A representative for the organization noted that the current unsecured portion of the biennial budget is in fact lower than in previous years, attributing this to several factors:
- A smaller total budget size
- Initiation of a fresh donor outreach effort
- An increase in participating countries' mandatory contributions
This restructuring initiative is currently approaching its completion, paving the way for the agency to progress with a reshaped operational model.