Background on Key Players
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP), both United Nations agencies, have announced significant reductions in their activities due to international aid cuts, particularly from the United States.
UNHCR, led by High Commissioner Filippo Grandi, supports refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. With over 18,000 staff members in 136 countries, nearly 90% of UNHCR’s workforce is deployed on the ground.
WFP, headed by Executive Director Stephen Omollo, aims to end global hunger through food assistance and sustainable development. The agency employs more than 23,000 staff members across 120 countries.
WFP’s Announcement of Staff Reductions
In a message to its staff, seen by AFP on Monday, WFP stated that the projected contribution for 2025 is now $6.4 billion, a 40% reduction from the previous year.
Stephen Omollo, WFP’s Deputy Executive Director, informed staff about the need for further measures to adapt to this new financial reality. The WFP plans to reduce its global workforce by 25% to 30%, potentially affecting up to 6,000 positions as they prepare for their operations in 2026.
These cuts will impact all geographical regions, directions, and levels within the program.
Impact of US Aid Reductions
Since assuming office in January, President Donald Trump has drastically reduced US foreign aid. Many UN agencies, including WFP and UNHCR, are already feeling the effects of these cuts.
Under Trump’s administration, US contributions have accounted for around 40% of UNHCR’s budget, totaling $2 billion annually. However, in 2025, the administration has only provided $350 million, leaving UNHCR negotiating for an additional $700 million frozen by the White House.
Filippo Grandi, expressing his concerns to the UN Security Council, stated that a review might force UNHCR to reduce its capacity by up to 30%. He lamented that “if this trend continues, we won’t be able to do more with less,” and warned of fewer offices, programs, and operations without specifying the exact cuts.
US Aid Cuts and Their Global Impact
Upon taking office, Trump eliminated 83% of the programs managed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which previously oversaw an annual budget of $42.8 billion—or 42% of global humanitarian aid.
Dorothy Shea, the US representative to the UN, emphasized that all member states must share the burden of humanitarian responses to conflicts more equitably. “The United States has shouldered this burden disproportionately for decades,” she stressed during the Security Council meeting.
Key Questions and Answers
- What agencies are affected by the aid cuts? The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP) are significantly impacted.
- Why are these cuts happening? The primary reason is the reduction in international aid, especially from the United States.
- How many staff members will be affected by these cuts? WFP plans to reduce its global workforce by 25% to 30%, potentially affecting up to 6,000 positions.
- What percentage of UNHCR’s budget comes from the US? Historically, around 40% of UNHCR’s budget has been funded by the US, totaling $2 billion annually. However, in 2025, the US has only provided $350 million.
How has US aid to international development changed under Trump? Under Trump’s administration, USAID programs have experienced an 83% budget cut, reducing their annual budget from $42.8 billion to approximately $7.2 billion.
