Type
Internal restructuring
Country
World
Region
Location of affected unit(s)
Netherlands, Cameroon, Colombia, Eritrea, Türkiye, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Zimbabwe
Sector
Health / Social work
Social work activities without accommodation
Other social work activities without accommodation
88.99 - Other social work activities without accommodation n.e.c.

500 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
11 April 2025
Employment effect (start)
11 April 2024
Foreseen end date
30 June 2025

Description

OCHA, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has announced plans to reduce its global workforce by 20%, cutting approximately 500 jobs worldwide.

The restructuring comes in response to a $58 million funding shortfall and will result in a more concentrated presence in fewer locations. Operations will be scaled back or ended in at least ten locations, including Cameroon, Colombia, Eritrea, Türkiye (Gaziantep), Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and Hague, the Netherlands. The cuts follow earlier austerity measures such as a hiring freeze and travel restrictions. According to leadership, the changes are necessary due to financial cuts from the Trump administration rather than a decrease in humanitarian needs. Consultations with staff were held, but civil society groups have expressed concern over the lack of inclusivity in decision-making.

OCHA operates in over 60 countries and plays a key role in coordinating emergency humanitarian responses rather than delivering aid directly. OCHA employs about 2,600 people worldwide.


Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2025), OCHA, Internal restructuring in World, factsheet number 202868, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://dev.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/202868.