- Staff Cuts: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) plans to cut 20% of its global workforce, reducing staff from 2,600 to 2,100, due to a $58 million funding shortfall.
- Affected Countries: Nigeria is among 10 countries where operations will be scaled back, including Cameroon, Colombia, Eritrea, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and Gaziantep in Turkey.
- Reason: The move is driven by budget cuts, not a decline in humanitarian needs, which continue to rise due to conflict, climate crises, disease, and violations of international law.
- Funding Cuts: The cuts come as the US, OCHA’s largest donor, slashed its annual contribution of $63 million, which would have covered 20% of the agency’s 2025 budget.
The reduction in staff and operations may impact the effectiveness of humanitarian responses in the affected countries. OCHA’s Chief, Tom Fletcher, emphasized that the agency is regrouping to adapt to the new funding reality, but the move may still have significant consequences for vulnerable populations in need of assistance.
The funding cuts are part of a broader financial crisis facing the UN, prompting Secretary-General António Guterres to launch a cost-saving initiative as the organization marks its 80th anniversary. The US funding cuts are also linked to its “America First” policy, which prioritizes domestic interests over international cooperation.
