The United Nations’ principal migration agency has launched a new round of job cuts, with plans to lay off at least 20% of its staff at the agency’s Geneva headquarters and an unspecified number of dismissals in its overseas field offices, according to humanitarian sources.
The news of fresh cuts comes just weeks after the International Organization for Migration dismissed some 3,000 workers, decimating the agency’s U.S. refugee resettlement program. More cuts are anticipated in the coming weeks, according to those sources.
“Dozens have been told today they’re terminated/non-renewed. Entire units gone,” one humanitarian source familiar with the situation told Devex. The source estimated the layoffs could even be greater than 20%. “Massive loss of institutional & sectoral knowledge.”
About the author
Colum Lynch
Colum Lynch is an award-winning reporter and Senior Global Reporter for Devex. He covers the intersection of development, diplomacy, and humanitarian relief at the United Nations and beyond. Prior to Devex, Colum reported on foreign policy and national security for Foreign Policy Magazine and the Washington Post. Colum was awarded the 2011 National Magazine Award for digital reporting for his blog Turtle Bay. He has also won an award for groundbreaking reporting on the U.N.’s failure to protect civilians in Darfur.
