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The global health organization disclosed intentions to cut its workforce by nearly a quarter – amounting to more than two thousand positions – before mid-2026.

Funding Shortfall Triggers Major Restructuring

The move follows following the US, formerly the organization's biggest donor, pulled out funding previously this period.

Washington had been contributing about eighteen percent of the organization's overall funding, causing a significant financial gap.

Expected Staff Cuts

Based on internal projections, the staff is expected to drop from 9,401 posts in January 2025 to approximately seven thousand and thirty by June 2026.

This decrease of 2,371 posts includes job cuts, retirements, and regular departures.

"This year was among the toughest in WHO's history, as we have navigated a challenging but necessary journey of prioritisation and restructuring," commented the organization's leader.

Budget Gap Persists

This Geneva-based organization currently faces a funding gap of $1.06bn for the 2026-2027 biennium, representing almost a fourth of its required funding.

The figure represents an reduction from a previous projected gap of 1.7 billion dollars noted in May.

Not Included Funding

The budget projections exclude a further $1.1bn in expected contributions from current discussions with multiple contributors.

A representative for the organization noted that the current unsecured portion of the budget is in fact smaller than in previous years, attributing this to several factors:

• A smaller total budget
• The launch of a new fundraising campaign
• Higher in member states' required fees

The realignment process is currently approaching its end, allowing the agency to progress with a reshaped structure.