WHO Faces Major Workforce Cuts Following US Funding Withdrawal
This international public health agency disclosed plans to cut its staff by almost a fourth – totaling over 2,000 jobs – before the middle of 2026.
Financial Shortfall Prompts Substantial Reorganization
The move follows after the US, formerly the agency's biggest contributor, pulled out funding previously this period.
Washington had been responsible for approximately 18% of the agency's total funding, causing a substantial budgetary shortfall.
Projected Workforce Cuts
According to internal projections, the workforce is expected to drop from 9,401 posts in early 2025 to around seven thousand and thirty by mid-2026.
This decrease of two thousand three hundred and seventy-one positions includes job cuts, retirements, and natural departures.
"This year has been one of the most difficult in WHO's existence, while we undertook a challenging but necessary process of prioritisation and realignment," stated the organization's leader.
Budget Shortfall Persists
This Switzerland-headquartered organization now faces a budget gap of 1.06 billion dollars for the 2026-2027 biennium, amounting to nearly a fourth of its total budget.
The figure marks an improvement from a previous projected gap of 1.7 billion dollars noted in spring.
Not Included Finances
The budget projections do not include a further 1.1 billion dollars in potential contributions from current negotiations with multiple donors.
The representative for the agency stated that the current unfunded portion of the biennial budget is actually lower than in previous periods, attributing this to several factors:
- Reduced total budget size
- The launch of a new donor outreach effort
- Higher in participating countries' mandatory fees
The restructuring process is currently nearing its completion, allowing the agency to progress with a renewed structure.