UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs cuts 20% of staff due to lack of funding
The head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Tom Fletcher, has announced plans to cut 20% of the agency’s staff due to a funding shortfall. About this informs Reuters.
“UKHS currently has around 2,600 staff in more than 60 countries around the world. Shortfalls in funding mean we are looking to regroup into an organization of around 2,100 staff in fewer locations.” Fletcher said.
UKGP provides humanitarian aid, information exchange and support to people affected by crises. The agency’s activities are largely based on voluntary contributions. As Fletcher noted, the US has remained a major donor for decades.
He specified that their annual contribution of 63 million dollars would make up 20% of extrabudgetary funding of UKGS in 2025. Fletcher said that the UKGP will focus its resources on countries where it continues to work, but will reduce its presence in a number of regions, including Cameroon, Colombia, Eritrea, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Gaziantep and Zimbabwe.
“As we all know, these measures are due to funding cuts announced by member states, not a reduction in needs,” he emphasized. “Humanitarian needs are growing and may never have been higher, due to conflicts, climate crises, disease and disrespect for international humanitarian law.” Tom Fletcher concluded.
