Tedros warns of a $650 million budget gap, announces leadership reductions and department mergers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a major internal restructuring process following significant funding cuts from the United States, its traditionally largest donor. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed the changes on Tuesday, warning of a severe financial shortfall that could disrupt global health programs.
“The sudden drop in revenue has left us with a major gap in payroll, leaving us no choice but to scale down both operations and staff,” Tedros told member states, according to a transcript of his opening remarks.
The restructuring comes as the U.S. under President Donald Trump prepares for a complete withdrawal from WHO funding in January 2026, while also refusing to pay assessed membership contributions for 2024 and 2025. Nearly all American foreign aid, including large-scale global health projects, has also been frozen.
🔹 Key Changes at WHO:
- The leadership team at WHO headquarters in Geneva will be reduced from 12 to 7.
- The number of departments will drop from 76 to just 34.
- The organization is facing a budget gap of $560–$650 million for the 2026–27 biennium, equivalent to 25% of its current staffing costs.
Tedros did not specify how many jobs will be lost but acknowledged that the most significant impact will be felt at the Geneva headquarters.
“These are very painful decisions for all of us,” he added, emphasizing that the restructuring starts with cuts at the senior management level.
Broader Donor Reductions
The financial strain is compounded by reductions in official development aid from other countries, further pressuring WHO’s ability to maintain health programs worldwide.
“The refusal of the U.S. to pay its assessed contributions, combined with cuts in aid from several other nations, means we are facing difficult decisions,” said Tedros.
The WHO now aims to adapt its operations within this new financial reality, hoping that restructuring will ensure core functions can continue despite the funding squeeze.
