🔗 Share this article WHO Confronts Major Staff Cuts After US Financial Withdrawal The international public health agency revealed intentions to cut its staff by almost a quarter – amounting to over 2,000 positions – by mid-2026. Funding Crisis Prompts Substantial Reorganization This decision comes after the United States, formerly the agency's biggest contributor, withdrew funding previously this year. The US government was contributing approximately eighteen percent of the organization's total budget, causing a substantial budgetary gap. Expected Staff Reductions Based on internal estimates, the workforce will decrease from nine thousand four hundred and one posts in early 2025 to approximately seven thousand and thirty by mid-2026. This decrease of 2,371 posts comprises staff reductions, employees retiring, and regular attrition. "This year was one of the toughest in WHO's history, as we undertook a challenging but essential journey of prioritization and restructuring," commented the organization's director-general. Budget Shortfall Remains This Switzerland-headquartered organization now faces a budget shortfall of 1.06 billion dollars for the upcoming period, representing nearly a quarter of its required funding. The figure represents an improvement from a prior projected shortfall of $1.7bn reported in spring. Excluded Funding These financial projections do not include a further $1.1bn in expected funding from current negotiations with various contributors. A spokesperson for the agency stated that the present unsecured portion of the budget is in fact lower than in earlier periods, crediting this to multiple reasons: Reduced total budget Initiation of a new donor outreach effort Higher in member states' mandatory fees The restructuring process is currently approaching its completion, paving the way for the agency to move forward with a renewed structure.