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UNHCR to cut around 3,500 jobs worldwide

UNHCR to cut around 3,500 jobs worldwide
“We will concentrate our efforts on activities that have the greatest impact for refugees,” says High Commissioner Filippo Grandi. Keystone-SDA

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is to cut around 3,500 jobs as a result of financial cuts linked in particular to US decisions. Hundreds of temporary contracts will also be cut, the UN agency said in Geneva on Monday.

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The figure is in line with that articulated by HCR union representatives a few weeks ago. In total, almost half of the senior management positions at the Geneva headquarters and around the world will be eliminated.

+ Swiss budget cuts increase pressure on International Geneva

Some offices are being downsized or closed. The UN agency estimates that staff costs will be cut by around 30%.

“We will concentrate our efforts on activities that have the greatest impact for refugees,” says High Commissioner Filippo Grandi.

International Geneva has been hit hard by cuts from several donors, especially the United States. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has announced up to 7,000 job cuts. The World Health Organization (WHO) has halved the number of its departments.

Translated from French by DeepL/ts

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