The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced plans to reduce its global workforce by 20 percent due to a significant funding shortfall of $58 million.
Nigeria is among ten countries where these job cuts will take place. OCHA’s head, Tom Fletcher, explained in a message to staff that the organisation currently employs around 2,600 people across more than 60 countries, but it will now scale down to about 2,100 staff in fewer locations.
This decision follows a major drop in financial support from the United States, which recently cut its annual contribution of $63 million—a sum that would have funded 20 percent of OCHA’s 2025 budget.
Other countries affected include Cameroon, Colombia, Eritrea, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and the Turkish city of Gaziantep.
The UN agency emphasised that the cuts are purely financial and not because humanitarian needs are declining.
In fact, global crises related to conflict, climate change, disease, and breaches of international law continue to grow.
These developments come as U.S. President Donald Trump, recently returned to office, pursues his “America First” policy, which includes reshaping the country’s approach to foreign aid.
At the same time, UN Secretary-General António Guterres is launching cost-saving measures as the organisation celebrates its 80th anniversary while facing serious financial strain.
