UN Refugee Agency Plans 2027 Budget and Staff Cuts

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, is planning to reduce its 2027 budget by 16% to $7.14 billion and lower its budgeted workforce by around 3,500 posts, according to documents reviewed by Reuters. The cuts come as the agency faces continued financial pressure from declining foreign aid contributions.

UNHCR said the scale of the planned workforce reduction does not necessarily represent actual job losses, as many positions listed in previous budgets were never filled. The agency said it would focus its limited resources on emergency refugee assistance, protection, voluntary returns and helping displaced people become more self-reliant.

The reductions come as global displacement is expected to reach a record 131.2 million people in 2027, according to UNHCR projections. Budgets are expected to fall across all regions, with the Americas facing the largest reduction. The agency’s preliminary 2027 budget is expected to be considered for approval in October.

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