UNHCR Reduces Global Operations

(MENAFN) The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, declared on Monday that it has finished an in-depth internal evaluation and will drastically reduce its global activities due to a sharp decrease in humanitarian funding compared to the year 2024.

"In light of difficult financial realities, UNHCR is compelled to reduce the overall scale of its operations. We will focus our efforts on activities that have the greatest impact for refugees, supported by streamlined headquarters and regional bureau structures," stated Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees, in an official message.

To achieve savings, the agency has either closed or scaled back several offices around the world.

Additionally, it has carried out a nearly 50 percent reduction in top-level positions based in its Geneva headquarters and regional offices.

Altogether, approximately 3,500 staff roles will be eliminated, and numerous temporary workers have already exited, the statement indicated.

UNHCR expects that these actions will cut global personnel expenses by about 30 percent.

Although the organization has given priority to efforts in areas with the most pressing refugee situations, crucial services related to financial aid, medical care, schooling, and clean water and sanitation have still been impacted.

UNHCR noted that it is coordinating with collaborators and host governments to lessen the effects of the downsizing.

It is also testing alternative approaches, including sharing office space with other UN bodies and leveraging digital tools to increase effectiveness.

MENAFN17062025000045017167ID1109683556