The United Nations is facing substantial staff cuts due to U.S. funding reductions. The World Food Programme anticipates laying off at least 6,000 employees, and the UN refugee agency foresees cuts impacting up to one-third of its capacity.
These cuts are part of a broader reform process initiated by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who aims to reduce bureaucratic bloat. He has announced a system-wide budget and mandate review, leading to expectations of further job losses and institutional mergers.
The significant staff reductions pose a threat to the UN's expertise and ethos. The organization's long-standing international civil service, known for its loyalty to the UN rather than individual states, is at risk. This civil service has played a vital role in developing crucial concepts and models for peacekeeping, aid, and international development since the 1940s.