Red Cross to cut 1,500 jobs as humanitarian budgets seen sliding

FILE PHOTO: The ICRC flag is seen on the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, June 28, 2022. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

GENEVA — The International Committee of the Red Cross said it would cut some 1,5000 jobs and roll back operations in some locations as budgets for humanitarian aid are expected to decrease.

Last week, the Geneva-based organization said its governing board approved 430 million CHF ($475.30 million) in cost reductions over 2023 and early 2024.

“Approximately 1,500 jobs worldwide will have to be cut over the coming 12 months,” ICRC said in a statement on Tuesday.

“At least 20 of currently 350 locations around the world will close — where, for example, the area can be covered by another ICRC office, or where other humanitarian or development partners can take over. We will also be scaling back and closing some of our programs.

ICRC said several end-of-year pledges by donors had not come through “at the level, we had anticipated” and that costs had been higher than planned in the last quarter of 2022.

Established in 1863, ICRC provides humanitarian aid to victims of armed conflicts.

($1 = 0.9047 Swiss francs)

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