Overview
- A presentation to member states projects the workforce will drop by 2,371 posts by June 2026 from 9,401 in January 2025 through cuts, retirements and departures.
- A WHO spokesperson said the overall headcount could contract by up to 22% depending on how many vacant posts are filled.
- Slides show a $1.06 billion funding hole for 2026–2027, nearly a quarter of the budget, down from a $1.7 billion estimate in May.
- The projection does not include many temporary staff and consultants, whom UN sources say have already been made redundant.
- Director-General Tedros called the year a painful but necessary realignment nearing its end, while the agency pursues a smaller budget, a fundraising round and higher mandatory fees.