According to an internal memo obtained by Reuters, the cash-strapped United Nations is planning to reduce its $3.7 billion budget by 20% and eliminate roughly 6,900 jobs.
In the midst of a financial crisis partly caused by the United States, which finances almost a quarter of the global organization each year, the instruction requires staff to describe savings by June 13.
Along with President Donald Trump’s cuts to US foreign aid that have severely damaged UN humanitarian organizations, the US owes almost $1.5 billion for both the current fiscal year and arrears.
UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan, who wrote the memo, did not mention the US’s nonpayment. He pointed out that the cuts are a result of a review known as “UN80” that was started in March.
