WHO Confronts Major Staff Reduction Following US Funding Withdrawal
The global public health organization disclosed plans to cut its staff by almost a quarter – totaling more than 2,000 positions – by mid-2026.
Funding Shortfall Prompts Major Restructuring
This move comes following the US, previously the organization's biggest contributor, withdrew funding previously this year.
The US government was responsible for about 18% of the organization's overall budget, causing a significant financial shortfall.
Projected Workforce Reductions
According to organizational projections, the staff is expected to drop from 9,401 posts in January 2025 to around 7,030 by June 2026.
The decrease of two thousand three hundred and seventy-one positions comprises staff reductions, employees retiring, and natural departures.
"This year has been among the toughest in our existence, as we undertook a painful but necessary process of prioritization and restructuring," commented the agency's director-general.
Financial Gap Remains
This Geneva-based body currently faces a budget gap of 1.06 billion dollars for the upcoming period, representing almost a quarter of its required funding.
The figure represents an reduction from a previous projected shortfall of $1.7bn reported in spring.
Excluded Funding
The financial projections do not include an additional $1.1bn in potential funding from ongoing negotiations with multiple donors.
A spokesperson for the agency noted that the present unsecured portion of the biennial budget is actually smaller than in earlier years, attributing this to multiple factors:
- Reduced overall budget
- Initiation of a new fundraising effort
- Higher in member states' required fees
This restructuring initiative is now approaching its completion, allowing the organization to progress with a renewed structure.
