“Due to the challenging financial situation, UNHCR was forced to scale down operations,” admitted the agency’s leader, Filippo Grandi, in a statement.
This restructuring has already involved closing or reducing UNHCR offices worldwide and the elimination of almost 50% of executive positions at the agency’s headquarters in Geneva, he added.
Essential programs supporting vulnerable families, health, education, water treatment, and hygiene have also been affected, according to the same UNHCR note, which pointed out ongoing collaborations with other UN agencies, humanitarian organizations, and governments to mitigate the impact.
“Though we are facing painful cuts and the loss of many colleagues, our commitment to refugees remains unwavering,” Grandi assured.
The statement also expressed support for UN initiatives aimed at restructuring the entire international agency system to address funding issues, including the UN80 program introduced this year by Secretary-General António Guterres.
The UNHCR cuts are being confirmed in the same week the organization will lead World Refugee Day celebrations on June 20.
Last week, the agency released its annual report indicating about 122 million people are living away from home due to conflicts, violence, and other crises—a record high for forced displacements, double the number of just a decade ago.
