The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced major reductions in its management team and operations, following a significant funding cut after the U.S. confirmed its exit from the agency.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is scaling back its operations, cutting its management team by half, and implementing cost-saving measures, according to director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. This comes four months after the United States announced its decision to leave the agency and halt funding, leaving the WHO facing a budget shortfall.
At a budget committee meeting on Wednesday, Tedros emphasized the challenges the WHO now faces, stating, "To be blunt, we cannot do everything." A proposed 21% budget cut for 2026-2027 will reduce funding to $4.2 billion, with only 60% of that being funded if member states agree to raise mandatory fees.
Tedros confirmed that efficiency measures would save $165 million this year, alongside staff reductions. However, he clarified that the 25% cut in staff costs would not equate to job losses but a reduction in the scope of WHO’s operations, including the closure of some offices in high-income nations.
The WHO has already made significant changes to its leadership structure, shrinking the management team from 14 to seven, including Tedros himself. New roles include Dr. Jeremy Farrar moving to assistant director-general for health promotion and disease control, while Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu becomes executive director of the health emergencies programme. Dr. Sylvie Briand will serve as chief scientist.
The organisation is also seeking closer collaboration with other global health groups to maximise impact despite the cuts.
Palestinians gained the right to fly their flag at the World Health Organization following a vote at the annual assembly in Geneva, supported by 95 member states.
The World Health Organization has sounded the alarm over a deepening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, as Pakistan’s mass deportation of Afghan migrants overwhelms the country's already crippled health system and pushes it closer to total collapse.
World leaders pledged over $170 million to WHO at the 2025 World Health Assembly in Geneva, reinforcing global support for multilateral health efforts.
China announced a $500 million contribution to the WHO over five years, stepping in as the UN agency faces a funding shortfall after the U.S. cut support.
Countries have taken a major step toward finalizing a landmark global agreement aimed at preventing future pandemics.
Kazakhstan has named China’s CNNC as a strategic partner in its nuclear power expansion plans, signaling deeper energy cooperation between the two countries.
The United States has redirected the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz from a scheduled stop in Vietnam to the Middle East, amid rapidly escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has raised alarms over regional energy security and trade stability as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, urging both countries to resume negotiations and keep critical maritime routes open.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that removing Russia from what was once the G8 was a “very big mistake,” claiming the ongoing war in Ukraine could have been avoided if Moscow had remained at the table. He also suggested China’s inclusion in the G7 could be considered.
Iran’s state media has reported that the headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) in Tehran was targeted in a military strike on Monday, while live programming was underway.
Pakistan will begin its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22. The route is part of the INSTC and aims to connect Pakistan's rail network with Central Asia, establishing a new trade corridor via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
The Israeli military has issued an evacuation advisory for Iranian civilians living near weapons production sites and associated infrastructure within Iran. The message was shared on the social media platform X in both Arabic and Farsi by an official military spokesperson.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has cancelled certain flights scheduled for 13th and 14th June amid recent escalation of situation in the Middle East and the closure of airspace in several countries for security reasons.
US President Donald Trump on Monday said expelling Russia from the G8 was a “mistake,” suggesting the absence of Moscow complicated global diplomacy, and expressed openness to the idea of China joining the group.
Kazakhstan has named China’s CNNC as a strategic partner in its nuclear power expansion plans, signaling deeper energy cooperation between the two countries.
The United States has redirected the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz from a scheduled stop in Vietnam to the Middle East, amid rapidly escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has raised alarms over regional energy security and trade stability as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, urging both countries to resume negotiations and keep critical maritime routes open.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that removing Russia from what was once the G8 was a “very big mistake,” claiming the ongoing war in Ukraine could have been avoided if Moscow had remained at the table. He also suggested China’s inclusion in the G7 could be considered.
Kazakhstan has named China’s CNNC as a strategic partner in its nuclear power expansion plans, signaling deeper energy cooperation between the two countries.
The United States has redirected the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz from a scheduled stop in Vietnam to the Middle East, amid rapidly escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has raised alarms over regional energy security and trade stability as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, urging both countries to resume negotiations and keep critical maritime routes open.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that removing Russia from what was once the G8 was a “very big mistake,” claiming the ongoing war in Ukraine could have been avoided if Moscow had remained at the table. He also suggested China’s inclusion in the G7 could be considered.
Iran’s state media has reported that the headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) in Tehran was targeted in a military strike on Monday, while live programming was underway.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment