The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced major changes to its structure and workforce due to a massive budget shortfall caused by the withdrawal of funding from its largest donor, the United States.
Speaking to member states on Tuesday, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency is being forced to cut down on operations and staff, following the failure of the US to pay its dues for 2024 and 2025. The funding gap is now estimated to be between **$560 million and $650 million**, representing nearly 25% of current staff costs.
“The sudden drop in income has left us with a large salary gap and no choice but to reduce the scale of our work and workforce,” Dr. Tedros said.
This funding crisis comes after the US government, under President Donald Trump, initiated plans to withdraw fully from the WHO, significantly affecting the agency’s financial stability. The United States had contributed about $1.3 billion to the WHO’s 2022–2023 budget, mostly through voluntary donations for specific programs.
However, no payments have been made for 2024, and none are expected for 2025. As a result, WHO is undergoing a structural overhaul to stay afloat.
According to Dr. Tedros, the biggest impact will be seen at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Senior management is being downsized, with the leadership team reduced from 12 to 7 people. Also, the number of departments will drop significantly—from 76 to 34.
Although exact figures were not given on job cuts, Dr. Tedros confirmed that a “significant number” of staff will be let go, describing the decision as “very painful.”
“We will be saying goodbye to a significant number of colleagues,” he said. “We will do so humanely.”
WHO currently employs more than 8,000 people around the world. The reorganization is expected to affect not just the Geneva office but also regional offices and some country offices, particularly those located in wealthier nations.
The US has historically been the WHO’s largest contributor, funding everything from emergency responses to long-term health development projects. Much of this support came through USAID, the US foreign aid agency. But recent policy shifts in Washington have seen USAID programs frozen or dismantled.
This decision has had a ripple effect on health projects across the world, especially in developing countries where many communities depend heavily on international aid.
“The US administration’s decision to virtually dismantle USAID and freeze nearly all assistance, including to health projects worldwide, has had very severe impacts,” Dr. Tedros noted.
Despite the tough financial reality, the WHO chief emphasized that the organization is trying to adapt rather than collapse. One major step is the reorganization of how the agency is funded.
In 2022, member states agreed to increase their assessed contributions—the fixed membership fees countries pay to WHO. As a result, expected contributions for the 2026–2027 budget cycle are projected to rise from $746 million to $1.07 billion.
This is a significant development, even though it still excludes contributions from the United States. The increase in membership fees is part of a long-term effort to reduce reliance on voluntary donations, which are often unpredictable and tied to specific projects.
“Without the increase, assessed contributions for the current biennium would have been $746 million,” Dr. Tedros explained. “Instead, we expect to receive $1.07 billion in membership fees for 2026–27.”
However, even with the increase, WHO still needs to cut back its activities and re-focus on what Dr. Tedros called its “core functions.” These include global health monitoring, emergency response coordination, and setting international health guidelines.
Dr. Tedros acknowledged that these changes are coming at a time when many countries—especially in Africa and other developing regions—are in urgent need of WHO support.
“Many countries need our support now more than ever,” he said.
The agency will now shift some of its focus to helping these countries **become more self-reliant**, rather than dependent on foreign aid.
This new approach may require time and further international cooperation. But for now, the immediate concern is managing the massive reorganization ahead.
For African countries like Nigeria, which often rely on WHO support for health programs, disease control, and emergency responses, the funding cuts could lead to slower response times, reduced medical supplies, and fewer field personnel from the agency.
While the Nigerian government has been increasing local investment in healthcare, the absence of strong WHO backing could strain national systems already under pressure from issues like malaria, tuberculosis, and maternal health challenges.
There is also concern that key WHO-supported initiatives, such as polio eradication, HIV/AIDS care, and routine immunizations, might face disruptions unless alternative funding is secured.
In a time when global health remains fragile due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising humanitarian crises, the financial challenges facing the WHO highlight the need for more stable and reliable funding for international health.
The coming months will be crucial for the organization as it works to reshape itself and continue its mission of improving global health—even with fewer resources.
“These are very painful decisions for all of us,” Dr. Tedros said. “But we must adapt if we are to continue serving the world effectively.”
