Overview

• A confidential UN memo proposes consolidating dozens of agencies into four main departments: peace and security, humanitarian affairs, sustainable development, and human rights.
• The memo suggests merging operational functions of the World Food Programme, UNICEF, WHO, and UNHCR into a single humanitarian entity to streamline efforts.
• US foreign aid cuts under former President Trump have significantly contributed to the UN's financial crisis, with $1.5 billion in arrears for its regular budget and $1.2 billion for peacekeeping.
• The task force memo outlines systemic challenges such as overlapping mandates, resource inefficiencies, and bloated senior positions, exacerbated by growing program mandates.
• UN agencies are preparing implementation plans by May 16, while protests from staff affected by job losses and relocations have already begun.