🔗 Share this article World Health Organization Faces Major Workforce Cuts After United States Funding Withdrawal The international health agency disclosed plans to reduce its staff by almost a quarter – amounting to over two thousand positions – before mid-2026. Funding Shortfall Triggers Substantial Restructuring This move follows following the United States, previously the agency's biggest contributor, withdrew funding earlier this year. Washington was contributing about eighteen percent of the organization's overall budget, creating a significant financial gap. Projected Workforce Reductions Based on internal estimates, the staff is expected to drop from 9,401 positions in early 2025 to approximately seven thousand and thirty by mid-2026. This decrease of 2,371 posts comprises staff reductions, retirements, and natural departures. "The past year has been among the most difficult in WHO's existence, while we undertook a challenging but necessary process of prioritisation and realignment," commented the organization's leader. Financial Gap Persists This Switzerland-headquartered organization now faces a budget gap of $1.06bn for the upcoming biennium, representing nearly a quarter of its total budget. This figure marks an improvement from a previous estimated gap of $1.7bn reported in May. Not Included Finances These financial calculations do not include a further $1.1bn in potential funding from ongoing negotiations with various contributors. The spokesperson for the agency stated that the present unfunded portion of the budget is in fact smaller than in earlier years, attributing this to several reasons: Reduced overall budget The launch of a fresh donor outreach effort An increase in member states' mandatory contributions This restructuring process is currently nearing its end, paving the way for the agency to move forward with a reshaped structure.