The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Tuesday that the 1,500 job losses would accompany the closure of at least 20 of its 350 global sites. Several aid programmes will also be scaled-back or shelved, it said.
The organisation had already warned that it was facing a shortfall in its desired budget of CHF2.79 billion ($2.99 billion) for 2023; last Thursday, its governing assembly approved cuts of CHF430 million for this year and the beginning of next.
ICRC director Robert Mardini told media last month that there were “fewer donations for humanitarian aid in general” and that the Russia-Ukraine conflict had led to crises in other parts of the world “being forgotten”.
Of the 10 most important operations of the ICRC, which celebrates its 160th anniversary this year, only Ukraine has a positive funding outlook, Mardini told Swiss public radio RTS. All other operations (Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria) are underfunded, he said.
Rising costs due to inflation also played a role.
On Tuesday the organisation promised to limit layoffs as much as possible, and said it would prioritise cuts via hiring freezes and natural personnel departures.
While there were no details on which jobs and sites would be cut, the ICRC did say it planned to concentrate more on core tasks, including aid for conflict zones and the promotion of international humanitarian law.
The ICRC employs around 20,000 people across the world.
Popular Stories
More
Banking & Fintech
UBS releases ‘hundreds’ of staff in fresh wave of job cuts
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
This content was published on
The watch industry had to contend with a weakening of its exports last year, which reached a volume of CHF25.9 billion ($28.5 billion).
Switzerland targets 65% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035
This content was published on
Switzerland has set an ambitious goal to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels.
Switzerland cuts foreign aid to Albania, Bangladesh and Zambia
This content was published on
This decision comes after the parliament allocated less funding for foreign aid in December than the government had requested.
Switzerland to end international adoptions by 2026
This content was published on
Swiss citizens will no longer be able to adopt children from abroad. The government plans to halt these adoptions to prevent potential abuses.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Woman to head Red Cross for the first time
This content was published on
Mirjana Spoljaric Egger will become the first woman to head the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Complex challenges await her.
This content was published on
The president of the Geneva-based ICRC, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, says it is important to talk to all parties in the Ukraine war – including Russia.
ICRC president: ‘I had an impact – that’s what counts’
This content was published on
Peter Maurer is stepping down after ten years at the helm of the ICRC. How does he look back on his time in conflict zones from Iraq to Ukraine?
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.