WHO Faces Major Workforce Cuts After United States Financial Withdrawal
The global public health agency revealed plans to reduce its workforce by nearly a fourth – totaling over two thousand jobs – before mid-2026.
Funding Shortfall Triggers Substantial Restructuring
This move comes after the US, formerly the organization's biggest donor, withdrew financial support earlier this year.
The US government was responsible for about 18% of the organization's total funding, causing a significant financial shortfall.
Expected Workforce Cuts
According to internal estimates, the staff will decrease from nine thousand four hundred and one positions in January 2025 to approximately 7,030 by mid-2026.
This decrease of 2,371 positions comprises staff reductions, employees retiring, and regular attrition.
"The past year was among the toughest in our existence, while we have navigated a painful but necessary journey of prioritisation and realignment," stated the organization's leader.
Budget Shortfall Remains
This Switzerland-headquartered body currently faces a funding shortfall of 1.06 billion dollars for the 2026-2027 biennium, amounting to almost a fourth of its required budget.
The amount represents an reduction from a prior projected gap of $1.7bn reported in spring.
Not Included Funding
The financial calculations exclude a further $1.1bn in potential contributions from ongoing discussions with various donors.
A spokesperson for the organization stated that the present unfunded part of the budget is in fact smaller than in previous periods, attributing this to multiple reasons:
- A smaller total budget size
- The launch of a new donor outreach campaign
- An increase in member states' mandatory fees
The restructuring process is currently nearing its completion, allowing the organization to progress with a renewed structure.
