Hundreds of UN staff members protested in Geneva on May 1, 2025, against significant budget cuts impacting various UN agencies, particularly the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The protests highlight growing concerns over job losses and the ability of these organizations to deliver essential humanitarian aid.
The IOM is facing an unprecedented 30% reduction in donor funding in 2025, leading to the scaling back or ending of projects and affecting over 6,000 staff members worldwide. This includes a 20% reduction in staffing at its Geneva headquarters, impacting more than 250 employees. The cuts are largely attributed to decreased funding from the United States.
The UNHCR is also facing severe consequences with an 87% cut to its 2025 health budget compared to 2024. This reduction threatens life-saving health interventions for an estimated 12.8 million displaced people, including 6.3 million children, potentially leading to increased risks of infectious diseases and death. Similar protests have been reported in Thailand and Myanmar.