The United Nations top migration agency has instructed staff to dramatically curtail spending as it seeks to make sense of the largest imposition of U.S. foreign aid cuts since World War II and to refrain from divulging details of its response, according to a confidential internal memo seen by Devex.
The International Organization for Migration memo — titled Managing Funding Suspension-related Costs on Affected U.S. Funded Projects — offers guidance to the agency’s managers to administer projects in some 170 countries at a time of unprecedented financial crisis. It also warned staff that “any unauthorized transmission of this guidance externally may lead to disciplinary actions,” reflecting the heightened sensitivity across U.N. agencies about discussing the suspension by a United States administration that is defined by retribution.
“The guidance provides a structured approach to managing costs during the period of suspension,” it states. “It is intended to support IOM offices in maintaining program capacity and donor confidence while adhering to the conditions of the suspension.”
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.
