The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a global humanitarian organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, will cut its budget by 17% by 2026. As a result, it will lay off about 2,900 positions worldwide.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the ICRC stated on the 21st that this round of budget cuts is in response to a continued decline in humanitarian aid donations, while global conflicts keep increasing. The 2026 budget will prioritize the organization's efforts in key conflict zones, including Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine, and others.
According to the statement, the number of positions cut may not be the same as the actual number of people laid off. About one-third of the cuts will be achieved through voluntary departures and not filling vacant positions.
The ICRC's 2024 annual report shows the organization has about 18,000 employees worldwide.
ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said in the statement that the world is facing a combination of dangerous challenges, including escalating armed conflicts, a sharp decrease in aid funding, and “systemic tolerance” of serious violations of international humanitarian law. Against this backdrop, the ICRC remains committed to working on the front lines in conflict areas, but severe financial circumstances are forcing the organization to make tough choices.
Spoljaric called on some countries to devote more attention and resources to conflict prevention, upholding international humanitarian law, and providing humanitarian aid, even as they significantly increase their defense budgets.