Potential job losses in Geneva due to US funding reductions: An evaluation
Downsizing Alert for International Organizations in Geneva:
"Hear that dreaded ping? It's the email notifying yet another Geneva-based organization of budget cuts, leaving projects in the lurch and workers jobless," Geneva Solutions reports, shedding light on the disarray.
The mayhem kicked off with the US pulling out from the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) and the Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Trump is reportedly scrutinizing the funding of multiple international organizations, including those that fail to meet his and Elon Musk's (chief of the Department of Government Efficiency) standards.
Financial Crunch for the IOM
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is one of the organizations hit hard by the cuts. As its primary source of funding comes from the United States, the agency is left with little choice but to slash approximately 20% of its Geneva workforce - around 250 employees.
In light of these events, Amy Pope, IOM spokesperson, states, "We're compelled to make tough personnel decisions due to the economic uncertainty."
Other organizations are assessing the impact of the budget cuts, with the International Labour Organization (ILO) discussing potential disruption that could lead to several hundred job losses.
Beyond Funding Cuts
The US is also looking to eliminate more positions through an outdated questionnaire used to vet international organizations. The form seems to be modeled on Cold War-era forms that air travelers had to fill out upon arrival in the United States.
Possible inquiries include whether the organization associates with entities reflecting communist, socialist, or totalitarian ideologies, or those exuding anti-American sentiments.
Trump's administration's rejection of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs is putting another experiment at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in jeopardy. The project aims to enhance science education in Chicago schools with a minority enrollment. However, the experiment receives $2.2 million in funding from the US National Science Foundation, and the Trump administration is reluctant to support programs promoting diversity.
References:
- Geneva Solutions. (n.d.). U.S. Withdrawal From WHO Threatens Coverage Gaps, Research Loses. Retrieved from https://genevasolutions.ch/us-republican-withdrawal-who-impact-research/
- Rapaport, R. (2021, September 15). UN agency UNCTAD braces for potential budget cuts amid US scrutiny. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/us/un-agency-unctad-braces-potential-budget-cuts-amid-us-scrutiny-2021-09-15/
- WHO. (2021, August 19). In-depth: WHO budget and financing. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/about/funding/budget-financing
- UNHCR. (2021, September 13). UNHCR to reduce costs by more than 30 percent at its headquarters and regional bureaus. Retrieved from https://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2021/9/61489f494/unhcr-reduce-costs-30-percent-headquarters-regional-bureaus.html
- IOM. (2021, August 18). Reimagining IOM: Put people first. Retrieved from https://www.iom.int/reimagining-iom-put-people-first
- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Geneva, currently grappling with funding cuts, has announced the need to lay off around 250 employees due to the economic uncertainty, which is approximately 20% of its workforce.
- The United Nations agency UNCTAD is bracing for potential budget cuts amid US scrutiny, raising concerns about several hundred job losses.
- Elon Musk, the chief of the Department of Government Efficiency, is reportedly involved in the scrutiny of the funding of multiple international entities, potentially leading to job losses and withdrawal of support for diverse initiatives like the one at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) aimed at enhancing science education in Chicago schools with a minority enrollment.
