Job reductions loom for United Nations agencies based in Geneva
In a series of financial blows, key United Nations (UN) agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) based in Geneva are facing significant challenges due to the withdrawal of the United States and funding cuts under President Donald Trump.
The UN is grappling with an existential crisis, as a 43-percent drop in the number of people hired for long-term, full-time assignments has been reported compared to last year. This trend is particularly evident in humanitarian agencies, where thousands of staff have already been laid off.
One of the most notable impacts is the projected reduction in staff at the UN AIDS programme's Geneva headquarters, which will shrink from 127 to 19 employees. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is eliminating 200 positions from its Geneva headquarters, while the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) announced 155 job cuts. The Agency for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is planning to cut 70 positions, or 20% of its workforce.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to lay off 40% of its staff in Geneva, amounting to more than 1,000 positions. Geneva Solutions, a media outlet dedicated to the city's international sector, predicts that the job losses due to these cuts are just the tip of the iceberg.
The US exit from major agencies like UNESCO and funding cuts to various UN programs will force these organizations to restructure and reduce workforce. The UNESCO withdrawal, effective December 2026, removes the US's approximately 8% contribution from the agency's budget, representing a notable financial hit to the Paris-based cultural and educational agency.
The Trump administration's broader moves include cutting funding to the UN relief agency for Palestinians (UNRWA), withdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council, and cutting US financial contributions by more than $1 billion affecting UN peacekeepers, human rights, nutrition, and other programs.
These drastic funding cuts have forced organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), also headquartered in Geneva, to cut thousands of jobs. For instance, the ICRC eliminated 4,000 positions to stabilize finances within a year.
In response, the Geneva parliament has passed a resolution to safeguard UN and NGO agencies on its territory. The cantonal parliament has also approved an emergency aid of 10 million francs for NGOs. The federal government has earmarked 269 million francs to help Geneva withstand the funding crisis.
Despite these efforts, the UN and related agencies face a financial crisis due to the US rescission package and proposed budgets that slash contributions significantly, which will inevitably cause further job losses and impact ongoing humanitarian and peacekeeping missions. Geneva, being a hub for many NGOs and international organizations, is a focal point for such workforce reductions and operational disruptions.
- The financial crisis facing UN agencies and NGOs in Geneva is not limited to the reduction in staff at specific organizations; it is also reflected in the general news as the Trump administration's funding cuts to various programs are causing further job losses and operational disruptions, particularly in humanitarian and peacekeeping missions.
- The financial crisis in Geneva, caused in part by the withdrawal of the United States and significant funding cuts under President Trump, has not only impacted business and politics directly but also touches on broader aspects, such as general news concerning employment and operational stability for numerous international organizations.
