World Health Organization Faces Major Workforce Cuts Following United States Funding Withdrawal
The international health agency has announced plans to cut its workforce by nearly a fourth – amounting to over 2,000 jobs – by the middle of 2026.
Funding Shortfall Prompts Major Reorganization
The move comes following the US, formerly the agency's biggest contributor, withdrew financial support earlier this year.
The US government had been responsible for about 18% of the agency's overall funding, causing a significant budgetary shortfall.
Expected Staff Reductions
According to internal estimates, the workforce is expected to drop from 9,401 posts in early 2025 to approximately seven thousand and thirty by mid-2026.
The decrease of 2,371 posts comprises job cuts, retirements, and natural departures.
"This year was one of the most difficult in our existence, as we undertook a challenging but necessary process of prioritization and restructuring," stated the agency's director-general.
Budget Shortfall Remains
The Switzerland-headquartered organization now confronts a budget gap of $1.06bn for the 2026-2027 period, representing nearly a fourth of its required funding.
This amount represents an reduction from a previous estimated shortfall of 1.7 billion dollars reported in May.
Excluded Finances
These financial projections do not include an additional $1.1bn in expected funding from ongoing discussions with multiple contributors.
The representative for the organization stated that the current unfunded part of the biennial budget is in fact lower than in previous periods, attributing this to several reasons:
- Reduced overall budget
- The launch of a new donor outreach effort
- Higher in member states' mandatory fees
The realignment process is now approaching its end, paving the way for the organization to move forward with a renewed structure.
