WHO Plans Major Relocations and Cuts Amid Budget Squeeze Following U.S. Withdrawal

The World Health Organization (WHO) is undergoing significant organizational changes, including relocating key units and scaling back some programs, as it grapples with a tightened budget triggered largely by the United States’ decision to withdraw from the agency earlier this year. The global health body aims to streamline operations and reduce costs while continuing to deliver essential health services worldwide.

Key Developments and Organizational Moves

According to internal WHO documents reviewed by Reuters, the agency is planning to relocate four critical units from its Geneva headquarters to other international sites specializing in those functions. These include:

• Moving part of the health emergencies team to Berlin

• Shifting operations and logistics functions to Dubai

• Relocating the health workforce and nursing department to Lyon, France, by January 2026

• Transferring traditional medicine functions to Jamnagar, India, by July 2026

These sites already host WHO office functions aligned with these specialties. The relocations aim to enhance operational efficiency and agility while avoiding fragmentation caused by dispersed teams. The move could save the agency up to $3.3 million annually despite initial costs associated with the transitions. As of January 2025, about 31% of WHO’s roughly 9,450 global staff were stationed in Geneva.

Impact of U.S. Withdrawal on WHO Funding

The United States’ exit from the WHO, announced early in President Donald Trump’s administration in January 2025, has been a significant factor in the agency’s budget challenges. WHO responded by cutting its 2026-2027 budget by 21%, bringing the total to around $4.2 billion. Additionally, management staff have been halved to cope with the financial constraints.

Since January 2025, more than 400 staff members (approximately 4% of the workforce) have left due to natural attrition, contract non-renewals, and voluntary early retirements. Further plans anticipate an additional 600 job cuts in Geneva alone.

Programmatic Changes and Regional Implications

Besides relocations, WHO plans to reduce its direct involvement in some regional activities. For example:

• WHO Europe will rely more on support from headquarters for non-communicable disease efforts rather than handling them regionally.

• The Western Pacific region will cease work on sexual and reproductive health, sanitation, and adolescent health, deferring those responsibilities to other UN agencies such as the UN Population Fund and UNICEF.

Implications for Public Health and Global Health Governance

These staffing and program reductions come at a critical juncture when WHO faces mounting global health challenges, including pandemic preparedness and chronic disease management. The budget squeeze and structural changes may impact WHO’s ability to provide timely support and coordination, especially in regional offices closer to emerging health threats.

However, WHO’s spokesperson emphasized these changes strive to make the organization more agile, efficient, and focused, preventing fragmentation of divisions across multiple locations. The relocations and program shifts are framed as necessary adaptations rather than austerity measures that reduce core capabilities.

Expert Perspective

Dr. Elena Martinez, a global health expert not affiliated with WHO, notes, “WHO’s budgetary constraints coupled with the U.S. withdrawal pose a real challenge to global health leadership. While consolidation and focused efficiency are valid responses, the agency must ensure that critical health areas covered by regional offices do not suffer. Collaboration with other UN agencies will be essential, but WHO’s leadership and coordination roles remain irreplaceable.”

Background Context

WHO, founded in 1948, serves as the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations system. Funded largely by member states and voluntary contributions, WHO’s programs span infectious disease control, health systems strengthening, non-communicable diseases, and emergency response.

The U.S. has historically been one of WHO’s largest financial contributors. The decision to exit the agency in early 2025 led to immediate funding shortfalls, forcing reevaluation of program priorities and operational structure.

Potential Limitations and Considerations

As WHO undertakes these changes, there remain uncertainties on how program cuts and relocations will affect ground-level health outcomes and responsiveness. Some critics argue that reducing regional office activities or handing them off to other UN bodies could create gaps or delays in service delivery. The initial cost of relocations also challenges the budget in the short term.

Practical Implications for Readers

For healthcare professionals and health-conscious individuals, WHO’s budget squeeze signals shifting global health priorities and the importance of diversified support for international health initiatives beyond any single country’s contribution. It also underscores the ongoing need for robust global cooperation to maintain progress on health issues requiring coordinated international responses.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.

References

• Reuters. “WHO plans relocations and dropping some work in budget squeeze.” Economic Times Health, August 2025.