The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced plans to reduce its global workforce by 20% following a $58 million funding shortfall. The move will affect operations in Nigeria and eight other countries as the agency seeks to realign its structure in response to dwindling financial support.

In a letter to staff, U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher disclosed that OCHA will downsize from its current 2,600 staff to approximately 2,100. The decision includes scaling back the agency’s presence in select regions as part of a broader restructuring effort.

Fletcher attributed the financial strain primarily to a cut in funding from OCHA’s largest donor, the United States. He noted that the U.S. typically contributes about $63 million annually—accounting for 20% of OCHA’s extrabudgetary resources.

“OCHA relies heavily on voluntary contributions, with the U.S. alone accounting for the largest share,” Fletcher stated. “The reduction in U.S. support has left a significant gap in our financial planning.”

The impact of the funding shortfall is already being felt across the humanitarian sector. Local aid groups, international organizations, and other U.N. agencies have reported disruptions in ongoing operations, raising concerns about the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance in affected regions.

The restructuring comes amid increasing global humanitarian needs, prompting urgent calls for alternative funding sources and greater support from the international community.The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced plans to reduce its global workforce by 20% following a $58 million funding shortfall. The move will affect operations in Nigeria and eight other countries as the agency seeks to realign its structure in response to dwindling financial support.

In a letter to staff, U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher disclosed that OCHA will downsize from its current 2,600 staff to approximately 2,100. The decision includes scaling back the agency’s presence in select regions as part of a broader restructuring effort.

Fletcher attributed the financial strain primarily to a cut in funding from OCHA’s largest donor, the United States. He noted that the U.S. typically contributes about $63 million annually—accounting for 20% of OCHA’s extrabudgetary resources.

“OCHA relies heavily on voluntary contributions, with the U.S. alone accounting for the largest share,” Fletcher stated. “The reduction in U.S. support has left a significant gap in our financial planning.”

The impact of the funding shortfall is already being felt across the humanitarian sector. Local aid groups, international organizations, and other U.N. agencies have reported disruptions in ongoing operations, raising concerns about the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance in affected regions.

The restructuring comes amid increasing global humanitarian needs, prompting urgent calls for alternative funding sources and greater support from the international community.