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UNITED NATIONS, May 01 (IPS) - The Trump administration’s on-again-off-again threats against the United Nations, and US withdrawals from several UN agencies aggravated further by financial cutbacks, have left most staffers with growing apprehension and uncertainty about their future--- and their mental health.
Will the UN’s liquidity crisis result in downsizing of staff or trigger a round of salary cuts? Will there be a freeze on promotions and on salary increases? And will non-American staffers be deprived of permanent residencies in the US---and forced to return, along with their families, to their home countries, on retirement?
Meanwhile, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UN’s humanitarian agency, is facing significant budget cuts due to a funding gap, primarily stemming from a reduction in US funding. This has led to plans for a 20% reduction in staff and a scaled-back presence in several countries, according to OCHA.
Besides OCHA, the budget cuts have also impacted on the World Food Program (WFP), UNICEF and the UN High Commission for Refugees, who are either closing offices, reducing staff or ending programs due to a sharp decrease in US funding.
In a memo to staffers last week, the UN Staff Union (UNSU) in New York acknowledged “the significant concern and potential uncertainty caused by the current financial situation of the Organization.”
“We believe that prioritizing mental health and well-being is essential during these uncertain times. As such, the Union is preparing a series of Mental Health Sessions to offer practical tips and techniques for managing what may lie ahead.”
“Be assured that your Union remains steadfast in defending your rights to fair and equitable treatment and stands ready to navigate the anticipated challenges ahead together,” says the memo from Narda Cupidore, President of UNSU.
Meanwhile, the Staff Management Committee (SMC), which was convened in Vienna, April 7-12, addressed critical issues impacting staff welfare and conditions of service.
The agenda was dominated by three topics: I) UN80 Initiative; ii) the financial crisis; and iii) the downsizing policy. These deeply interconnected topics and their combined impact on staff were the central focus over several days of deliberations.
The Secretary-General has requested “the UN80 Initiative Task Force and Working Groups to develop proposals to i) rapidly identify efficiencies and improvements in the way we work; ii) review the implementation of the mandates received from Member States; and iii) conduct a programmatic realignment within the UN system, while rationalizing resources.”
Dr Purnima Mane, former President and CEO of Pathfinder International and one-time Deputy Executive Director (Programme) and UN Assistant-Secretary-General (ASG) at the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), told IPS the US government’s threats of financial cutbacks and withdrawals from many UN agencies is a matter of special concern not only for Member States but also the UN staff themselves, affecting their mental health and ability to bring their best to their already challenging work.
“With multiple global upheavals all over the world, the UN clearly is an institution from which much is expected at this time. But financial cutbacks seriously threaten the UN’s ability to deliver and its staff members’ ability to do their job”.
It is therefore reassuring, she said, that the concerned bodies affiliated to the UN, which focus on staff welfare, are honing in on the mental health of the staff who are working in this current environment of extreme uncertainty. .
It is encouraging to note that the UN Staff Union is preparing a series of mental health sessions for staff to have access to practical tips for managing what may lie ahead.
The Staff Management Committee XIII which met early April in Vienna also focused on critical issues impacting staff welfare and conditions of service, and not surprisingly, the financial crises that the UN is threatened with and the downsizing policy were two of the major topics that the SMC focused on.
“Uncertainty of course makes matters even tougher since the US administration has announced cutbacks to institutions where the US is a sole or major contributor and then reversed its decision in the case of some,” she pointed out.
If the UN is not seen as a sound investment by the US, and its position on cutbacks and withdrawals remain without any alteration, the paralysis, in terms of action, will be severe and will take a high toll in terms of staff mental health and subsequently, their ability to perform already formidable tasks, declared Dr Mane.
The World Food Program, UNICEF and the UN High Commission for Refugees are among UN agencies that are cutting jobs, closing offices, ending programs and taking other cost-cutting measures due to a sharp decrease in US funding.
In 2024, the UN Secretariat employed over 35,000 staff members across 467 duty stations worldwide. This includes staff from over 190 nationalities, as part of the wider UN family with over 100 bodies and organizations, including some 30 agencies, funds and programmes.
The cash crisis has been aggravated by non-payment or late payment of dues by member states. As of April 30, only 101 out of 193 member states, have paid their assessed contributions in full.
Asked about the budgetary cuts by UN agencies, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters April 28, there are different kinds of cuts.
“The most violent that we have seen really hit our humanitarian and development partners because the cuts are immediate. The way they're funded are through voluntary contribution. The money is allotted for specific programmes, so the money is not there. The work's not getting done”.
“So, I think the Secretary-General has said that we are, right now facing a liquidity crisis. We're managing that. We're obviously, and he always has been looking to be the most possibly responsible caretaker of the money that is entrusted to us”.
Dujarric said the strategy is also to ensure that Member States understand the quick and real impact of these cuts.
Currently, the biggest single defaulter is the US, which, as the largest contributor, pays 22% of the UN’s regular budget and 27% of the peacekeeping budget.
The US owes $1.5 billion to the UN’s regular budget. And, between the regular budget, the peacekeeping budget, and international tribunals, the total amount the US owes is a hefty $2.8 billion.
The top 10 contributors to the UN’s regular budget, based on assessed contributions, are the United States, China, Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Brazil, and Russia.
The regular budget for 2025 is $3.72 billion—around $120 million more than the $3.6 billion figure unveiled by Secretary-General António Guterres in October 2024—and $130 million greater than the Organisation’s 2024 budget.
The total budget appropriation for 2025 amounts to $3,717,379,600. After the US, China is the second-largest contributor, assessed at 18.7% of the regular budget.
In its appeal to staffers, the Staff Union says the Secretary-General’s UN80 Initiative “may bring substantial changes to our organization and have significant impact on our conditions of service”.
“While the full extent of these changes is still unknown, we recognize the underlying stress and anxiety it might cause, especially against the backdrop of constant media coverage of similar challenges occurring across the Common System.”
Towards this effort, the UN80 Initiative has created a suggestion box to submit support and ideas.
“As we believe the most effective solution sets can come from those directly involved in the day-to-day work of the organization and with an upcoming deadline of 1 May 2025, we encourage you to share your innovative and creative proposals not only with the UN80 Initiative but with your Union as well”.
By sending your suggestions to [email protected], says the memo, “ we shall be able to record the dynamic contributions of Staff Members and re-emphasize the critical importance of an inclusive, Secretariat wide decision-making process within the three pillars of efficiencies and improvements, mandate implementation, and programme realignment.”
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