The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is cutting 3,500 jobs and closing offices worldwide after a sharp drop in funding forced it to scale back programs that help millions of displaced people. UNHCR completed a major review of its operations this week, with officials warning that reduced aid capacity is putting vulnerable refugees at greater risk, according to a press release.
The agency expects its 2025 funding to match levels from a decade ago, even though the number of displaced people has nearly doubled to over 122 million. Senior positions at Geneva headquarters and regional offices will drop by almost 50 percent as part of cost-cutting measures.
UNHCR budget crises hit programs providing cash assistance, healthcare, education, and water services. “We will focus our efforts on activities that have the greatest impact for refugees,” said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The agency is working with partners and host countries to reduce harm to refugees who depend on its services.
UNHCR also plans to centralize support functions and explore new ways of working, including placing staff in other UN offices. The agency is pushing technology solutions to boost efficiency while maintaining operations in areas with the most urgent needs.
Despite the painful cuts, Grandi said the agency’s commitment to refugees stays firm. Nearly 2 million Syrians have returned home since December, showing that solutions remain possible even during tough financial times.
UNHCR employs around 20,000 staff working across 136 countries, according to data from December 2023. The UN Refugee Agency has suffered severely from U.S. funding cuts, implementing what officials describe as the most dramatic downsizing in the organization’s recent history.
