🔗 Share this article World Health Organization Faces Major Workforce Cuts Following United States Financial Pullout This international health agency revealed intentions to reduce its staff by nearly a fourth – amounting to more than two thousand positions – by mid-2026. Funding Crisis Triggers Substantial Restructuring The decision comes following the United States, formerly the agency's biggest donor, pulled out financial support earlier this period. Washington had been responsible for about 18% of the organization's total funding, causing a significant budgetary gap. Projected Workforce Cuts Based on internal estimates, the workforce is expected to drop from nine thousand four hundred and one posts in January 2025 to around seven thousand and thirty by mid-2026. The reduction of 2,371 posts comprises job cuts, retirements, and natural departures. "This year has been among the toughest in our history, as we undertook a painful but essential process of prioritization and restructuring," stated the organization's leader. Financial Gap Remains The Geneva-based organization now faces a funding gap of $1.06bn for the upcoming period, amounting to nearly a fourth of its required funding. This figure marks an reduction from a previous estimated gap of $1.7bn reported in spring. Not Included Funding These financial projections exclude a further $1.1bn in potential contributions from current discussions with various donors. A representative for the agency noted that the current unfunded part of the biennial budget is in fact smaller than in earlier years, crediting this to several factors: A smaller total budget size The launch of a new donor outreach campaign An increase in participating countries' mandatory fees The restructuring initiative is currently nearing its completion, allowing the agency to progress with a renewed structure.