🔗 Share this article World Health Organization Faces Significant Staff Reduction Following United States Funding Withdrawal This global health agency disclosed intentions to reduce its staff by almost a quarter – amounting to more than two thousand positions – before mid-2026. Financial Crisis Prompts Substantial Restructuring This move follows after the US, formerly the agency's biggest contributor, withdrew funding earlier this period. The US government had been responsible for approximately 18% of the organization's total funding, causing a substantial budgetary shortfall. Projected Workforce Reductions Based on internal projections, the staff will decrease from 9,401 posts in early 2025 to around seven thousand and thirty by mid-2026. The reduction of 2,371 posts includes job cuts, employees retiring, and natural departures. "The past year has been among the most difficult in our existence, as we have navigated a challenging but essential process of prioritization and realignment," stated the agency's leader. Financial Shortfall Persists The Geneva-based organization currently faces a funding gap of $1.06bn for the upcoming biennium, representing nearly a quarter of its required budget. The amount marks an improvement from a previous estimated shortfall of 1.7 billion dollars reported in spring. Not Included Finances These budget calculations exclude an additional 1.1 billion dollars in expected funding from ongoing negotiations with multiple contributors. A representative for the organization noted that the present unsecured part of the budget is actually smaller than in previous periods, attributing this to several factors: Reduced overall budget Initiation of a new donor outreach campaign An increase in participating countries' required fees The realignment initiative is now approaching its end, allowing the organization to progress with a reshaped operational model.