The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced plans to cut 20% of its global workforce due to a $58 million funding shortfall, with Nigeria and nine other countries expected to be affected.
OCHA’s aid chief, Tom Fletcher, disclosed the decision in a staff briefing following a major funding cut from the organization’s largest donor, the United States. Since returning to office in January, President Donald Trump’s administration has slashed billions in foreign aid, aligning with his “America First” policy.
“OCHA currently employs around 2,600 staff across more than 60 countries. We’re now looking to reduce that to approximately 2,100 staff in fewer locations,” Fletcher said in a note to staff, as reported by Reuters.
He emphasized that the U.S. has been OCHA’s largest donor for decades, with its expected 2025 contribution of $63 million accounting for 20% of the agency’s extrabudgetary resources.
As a result, OCHA will scale back its operations in Cameroon, Colombia, Eritrea, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Gaziantep (Turkey), and Zimbabwe.
“These cuts are a result of reduced contributions from member states—not a decrease in humanitarian needs,” Fletcher noted. “In fact, global needs are at an all-time high, driven by conflict, climate change, disease, and violations of international humanitarian law.”
OCHA, which coordinates global humanitarian response and advocacy, relies heavily on voluntary funding.
Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has launched a broader cost-cutting initiative as the organization marks its 80th year amid a deepening financial crisis.
