🔗 Share this article WHO Confronts Significant Staff Reduction After United States Funding Pullout The global public health agency has announced intentions to reduce its workforce by nearly a fourth – amounting to more than 2,000 positions – before the middle of 2026. Funding Shortfall Prompts Major Reorganization This decision comes following the US, previously the organization's biggest donor, pulled out funding previously this year. Washington was responsible for about eighteen percent of the agency's total funding, causing a significant financial shortfall. Expected Staff Cuts According to organizational 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 decrease of 2,371 positions includes job cuts, employees retiring, and regular attrition. "This year has been one of the most difficult in WHO's existence, as we have navigated a painful but essential process of prioritisation and realignment," commented the organization's leader. Budget Gap Persists The Switzerland-headquartered body currently confronts a funding shortfall of 1.06 billion dollars for the upcoming period, representing almost a fourth of its required budget. The figure represents an reduction from a prior projected shortfall of 1.7 billion dollars reported in May. Not Included Funding These financial calculations do not include a further $1.1bn in expected contributions from ongoing negotiations with multiple contributors. A spokesperson for the organization noted that the present unsecured part of the biennial budget is in fact lower than in previous years, crediting this to multiple reasons: Reduced total budget size The launch of a fresh donor outreach effort Higher in member states' required fees The realignment process is now nearing its end, allowing the agency to move forward with a renewed structure.