The global humanitarian sector is facing an unprecedented crisis. As wars rage, climate disasters intensify, and displacements reach record highs, the very organizations tasked with saving lives are being forced to downsize staff, halt programs, and abandon vulnerable communities. This is not happening because of diminished needs, because these are actually greater than ever before, but because funding is collapsing.
Chronic underfunding in 2024, compounded by a 2025 U.S. aid freeze, has pushed major humanitarian organizations to lay off hundreds of employees and enforce widespread retrenchments, threatening life-saving operations worldwide.
A 2025 survey by the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) across 160 countries found that more than half of humanitarian agencies, or 54% to be exact, operating in 150 states have laid staff off following the U.S. decision.
In protest, hundreds of UN staff marched in Geneva on May 1 against the job losses linked to the U.S. funding freeze.
Mass layoffs across aid organizations
No agency has been spared. From United Nations entities to international NGOs, staffing cuts are unfolding at scale. Here is a list of organizations that are laying staff off.
United Nations Agencies
World Food Programme (WFP) – An anticipated 34% decrease in its funding for 2025 is driving a 30% workforce cut, threatening food aid for 343 million people in various countries. WFP has approximately 23,765 employees.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – With reduced U.S. support, UNHCR is shrinking its staff by 30%, eliminating half of its senior positions. UNHCR has approximately 19,800 personnel. In 2024, the US provided $2.1 billion to UNHCR.
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) – A US$60 million shortfall has led to 20% of staff being laid off from OCHA, and operations in nine countries being suspended.
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) – A 20% funding decrease is forcing reductions in operations and staff across 190 countries, affecting children’s programs.
International Organization for Migration (IOM) – A 30% donor support drop is affecting over 6,000 staff globally.
World Health Organization (WHO) – At WHO, a USD $600 million deficit arising from the U.S. cuts is prompting a proposed 21% budget and staff reduction for the year 2026–27.
International Labour Organization (ILO) – The organization has laid off an estimated 250 staff since January 2025.
International Non-governmental organizations (INGOs)
International Rescue Committee (IRC) – Facing a $650 million budget cut, IRC is laying off thousands and suspending HIV clinics and refugee resettlement services.
Mercy Corps – With 26% of its funding from USAID have disappeared, Mercy Corps is reducing staff and halting two-thirds of foreign programs.
Save the Children – Facing cuts due to the U.S. foreign aid freeze, the agency is preparing to lay off 2,300 staff and close offices in five countries.
Amref Health Africa – Potentially losing $30 million, Amref has placed 692 staff on unpaid leave and paused 20 projects, endangering health access for 100,000 women and children.
Danish Refugee Council – Planning to cut 2,000 staff, nearly a quarter of its workforce, due to a $70 million U.S. funding loss.
World Vision – Up to 3,000 workers face lay-offs worldwide, threatening child-focused programs.
Norwegian People’s Aid has suspended mine action efforts in 12 countries, laying off over 1,700 staff.
Catholic Relief Services is set to lay off up to 50% of its global staff, affecting work in 120 countries.
FHI 360: Around 700 global staff are being laid off, impacting health and development initiatives.
The Norwegian Refugee Council has withdrawn from programs in 20 countries after the abrupt U.S. aid suspensions.
As humanitarian organizations face unprecedented staff reductions and program suspensions, the crisis is being compounded by shifting global priorities over foreign aid.
A global recoil from aid
With 2025 U.S. aid frozen, European nations and others have followed suit, significantly tightening their belts and reducing contributions to global humanitarian efforts.
While some governments had already planned cuts to Official Development Assistance (ODA), the U.S. decision provided a precedent and political cover for others to scale back.
The list of countries rolling back development aid includes:
- United States – The newly established Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Elon Musk, has suspended 90% of USAID’s funding, impacting programs globally.
- Australia proposes to cut $813 million in aid over four years to fund military priorities.
Europe
- Germany has slashed €940 million from its development agency’s budget, including €20 million from WFP, cutting humanitarian aid by more than half. Germany’s 2025 federal budget includes steep cuts of US$21.5 billion to ODA-related ministries, with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) losing US$1 billion and the Foreign Office US$907 million.
- France – Followed 2024’s €800 million cut with an 18% reduction in 2025, citing deficit concerns.
- The UK announced it will reduce aid from 0.5% to 0.3% of GDP from 2027 to boost military defense, justifying the move as a response to global instability.
- Netherlands – Committed to €1 billion in aid cuts over five years, with NGO grants cut by up to 70%.
- Belgium – Announced a 25% aid reduction over five years.
- Switzerland – Reduced its 2025 aid budget by US$183 million due to domestic budgetary constraints.
As donor governments turn inward, humanitarian organizations are left to grapple with not just budget gaps but the human cost of workforce collapse.
