WHO proposing to cut jobs and slash budget by a fifth, memo shows

Bangkok Post Group

The World Health Organization (WHO) is proposing to reduce staff numbers and the scale of its work as it slashes its budget by just over one fifth due to the impact of U.S. funding cuts, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters. - REUTERS

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00:00The World Health Organization is proposing to cut staff, slash its budget,

00:05and scale back its work due to the impact of U.S. funding cuts. That's

00:10according to an internal memo seen by Reuters. U.S. President Donald Trump's

00:15administration withdrew from the WHO upon taking office in January, saying the

00:21Global Health Agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other

00:25international health crises. The memo says the suggested budget cut is more

00:31than 20%, which is slightly larger than the 18% the WHO receives from the U.S.,

00:38which is by far its biggest financial backer. The health group also blamed its

00:43financial struggles on countries that have reduced development assistance to

00:47boost defense spending. The WHO did not immediately respond to a request for

00:53comment. The memo also said it would reduce jobs at its headquarters in

00:57Geneva, Switzerland, and will decide on how to prioritize its work and resources

01:02by the end of April. Earlier this week, sources told Reuters the U.S. had paused

01:07contributions to the World Trade Organization as the Trump

01:11administration ramped up efforts to cut government spending.

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