UN Faces Severe Funding Crisis and Potential Job Cuts
The United Nations is grappling with a significant funding crisis, prompting internal discussions about potential reforms and budget cuts. An internal memo reveals that the organization may run out of cash within months, leading to demands for agencies to make substantial budget reductions, including relocating staff from New York to cheaper cities. The situation is dire, with agencies like the World Food Program anticipating cuts of up to 30% of their workforce due to dwindling US funding. In light of these drastic measures, UN staff members have rallied, emphasizing that their work should not be viewed as a commodity. Protests have erupted among hundreds of staff in cities like Switzerland, responding to the looming job cuts exacerbated by funding reductions. As the UN confronts these challenges, questions arise about its ability to restructure and maintain relevance on the global stage.
Reuters, Financial Times, France 24, The Economist, The New York Times, IPI Global Observatory, World Politics Review, The Guardian, Devex, AP News