The UN on Friday confirmed that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will cut back its total workforce by 20% attributable to funding shortfall.
UN reduction chief Tom Fletcher despatched a letter to OCHA workers late Thursday, saying: “Our partners-NGOs and the UN humanitarian family-are hit hard. We are hit too: a 2025 funding gap of almost US$60 million. We must address this to protect our mission.”
“As a result, we will reduce more than 20 senior positions (P5s and above) in Headquarters and in our Country and Regional Offices. We will reach a 70/30 ratio between Country and Regional Offices and HQ. We will reduce our overall workforce by 20 per cent,” Fletcher stated.
Asked concerning the letter, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated at a news convention: “This is due to a cut in funding and not at all to a cut in needs.”
“Some of the cuts have come from the US. Some have come from other countries,” Dujarric famous, including that the UN’s “funding source is very transparent, especially for our humanitarian our humanitarian colleagues.”
Last month, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) introduced structural changes throughout its international operations in response to a 30% discount in estimated donor funding for the 12 months, together with substantial cuts to US-funded initiatives worldwide.
More than 6,000 workers members worldwide can be affected by the funding shortfalls, with the group additionally decreasing its headquarters staffing by round 20%, or over 250 workers, IOM acknowledged.
The cuts come amid efforts by the Donald Trump administration to get rid of USAID, which funds humanitarian applications around the globe, in addition to different companies that assist individuals each within the US and past.
Critics say that Trump’s govt department unilaterally chopping off funding is against the law, as shutting off the cash or eliminating a authorities company requires an act of the US Congress.
Source: www.anews.com.tr