The recent withdrawal of funding by the United States (US) from 66 international and humanitarian organisations, including several United Nations (UN) agencies, is set to result in further job cuts.
Beyond geopolitics and disruptions to health, development and humanitarian programmes, the funding cuts carry a profound human cost, underscoring the sheer scale of job losses now unfolding across international organisations.
In mid-2025, internal estimates and media reports had already suggested that between 20,000 and 30,000 jobs in humanitarian and international organisations could be lost worldwide.
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In a TV interview, Ian Richards, executive secretary of the Staff Coordinating Council at the UN, noted, “Staff continues to be very worried… There’s a worry that there will be even more cuts. Are we in some kind of vicious cycle?”
Richards cautioned that UN bodies funded through its regular budget, such as UNFPA, UN Women, and climate-related programmes, had already been hit by voluntary funding cuts in previous years. The greater uncertainty lies ahead: “If they don’t contribute in 2026, then there may have to be further cuts,” he warned.
Stephen Hayes, Conservative commentator acknowledged that while the move is not new, the current approach is far more comprehensive:
“I think they are far more thorough this time. They’re going over a strong list and they’re sending strong political signals… some of the organisations that the US is a members of, we probably should withdraw… for financial reasons and whether, in fact, they’re really very effective.”
Human cost behind the numbers
A 2025 report by Tribune de Genève highlighted severe cuts across Geneva, one of the world’s largest multilateral hubs. The report noted that UNAIDS was expected to suffer the most dramatic reductions, with its workforce projected to shrink from 127 staff members to just 19.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was also facing one of the largest global reductions, with plans to eliminate 3,200 roles from its 22,000-strong workforce. Of these, 200 positions were expected to be lost at its headquarters.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, likewise announced 155 redundancies in Grand-Saconnex, reflecting the growing impact of funding shortfalls on global health initiatives. In the same year, it was reported that the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) was set to cut more than 30 per cent of its global staff, amounting to around 3,500 jobs.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) was also bracing for deep cuts, with up to 40 per cent of its Geneva workforce expected to be reduced. Meanwhile, the UN Secretariat was preparing to shed approximately 6,900 roles, representing about 20 per cent of its 35,000 staff worldwide. Of these, 1,000 positions were expected to be lost in Geneva, further weakening the city’s standing as a global multilateral hub.
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Dr. Ishioma Elora Onah of ICS Outsourcing stressed, “These are professionals who have dedicated their careers to public service, often at personal cost. Sudden job losses mean disrupted livelihoods, uncertain immigration status for expatriates, and emotional strain for individuals and families.”
She warned of a broader labour market shock, noting, “A sudden influx of highly skilled international professionals competing for a limited number of roles globally, and many require very specific institutional experience that does not easily translate outside the multilateral system”
With funding decisions now reshaping institutions in real time, the coming months will test whether the UN system can adapt, or whether this marks a deeper fracture in the global order that has underpinned international cooperation for decades.
