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This international health organization has announced intentions to reduce its staff by nearly a fourth – totaling over two thousand jobs – by mid-2026.

Funding Shortfall Prompts Substantial Restructuring

The move follows following the US, formerly the agency's biggest donor, withdrew financial support previously this period.

Washington had been responsible for about eighteen percent of the agency's total funding, creating a substantial budgetary gap.

Expected Staff Cuts

According to internal estimates, the staff will decrease from nine thousand four hundred and one posts in early 2025 to around 7,030 by June 2026.

This reduction of two thousand three hundred and seventy-one posts comprises staff reductions, retirements, and natural attrition.

"The past year has been among the toughest in our existence, as we have navigated a challenging but necessary journey of prioritization and restructuring," stated the organization's director-general.

Financial Gap Persists

This Geneva-based body currently faces a funding shortfall of $1.06bn for the 2026-2027 period, representing nearly a quarter of its total funding.

The amount represents an reduction from a previous projected gap of 1.7 billion dollars reported in spring.

Excluded Funding

These financial projections exclude a further 1.1 billion dollars in potential contributions from ongoing discussions with various contributors.

A spokesperson for the organization stated that the current unsecured part of the biennial budget is in fact lower than in previous years, crediting this to several reasons:

• A smaller total budget
• The launch of a fresh fundraising campaign
• An increase in participating countries' required contributions

The restructuring initiative is now approaching its end, paving the way for the organization to progress with a renewed operational model.