United Nations: The United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced a major downsizing of its global operations, citing a severe funding shortfall and rising humanitarian needs worldwide.
In a letter to staff published on the agency’s website, OCHA chief Tom Fletcher revealed plans to cut approximately 20% of the agency's workforce — around 500 positions — as it faces a $60 million budget gap for 2025. The decision follows earlier austerity measures, including a hiring freeze and reduced travel, which only saved $3.7 million.
OCHA will also reduce or exit its presence in nine countries: Cameroon, Colombia, Eritrea, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey, and Zimbabwe. The agency aims to focus its resources on key crisis zones and adopt a leaner, more agile response model prioritizing core functions such as emergency response, humanitarian leadership, and reform.
Fletcher acknowledged the gravity of the cuts, describing them as “brutal,” but emphasized that they stem from financial limitations rather than a decrease in global need. “The humanitarian community was already overstretched and underfunded — now we’re facing a wave of cuts,” he said, underlining the urgency of reshaping OCHA’s approach.
The changes are part of a broader UN strategy known as the “Humanitarian Reset,” a 10-point reform plan backed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee and aligned with Secretary-General António Guterres’ UN80 initiative.
While the agency defends the reductions as a move toward sustainability, some humanitarian organizations are raising concerns. One representative from Iraq’s Al Amal Association warned that OCHA’s withdrawal could harm essential support programs, particularly those advancing women’s rights.
Fletcher, however, maintains that the agency’s role is to coordinate efforts rather than duplicate them. “We remain committed to saving lives,” he said, “but we must adapt to keep doing it effectively.”
