The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) is set to lay off nearly 4,000 employees next year as part of a 17% budget cut, even as global displacement continues to rise, according to a UN document obtained by a US news agency.
The agency’s budget will shrink from $10.2 billion this year to $8.5 billion in 2026, resulting in the elimination of 3,985 positions—roughly one in four jobs.
The cuts come amid a surge in forced displacement, driven in part by the ongoing conflict in Sudan. UNHCR estimates that the number of forcibly displaced and stateless people will reach 136 million by 2026.
As part of the restructuring, UNHCR will close its regional office for southern Africa effective October 1.
The agency has not yet commented publicly on the document, but the reductions are expected to impact operations and support services across multiple regions.