ICRC Confirms 240 Job Cuts at Geneva Headquarters Amidst 17% Budget Reduction for 2026

ICRC Announces Significant Job Reductions in Geneva

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has confirmed the elimination of approximately 240 jobs at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. This decision comes as part of a broader financial restructuring, including a previously announced 17% budget reduction for 2026. The job cuts were reported in mid-October 2025, with the first redundancies issued this week.

Budgetary Constraints and Previous Reductions

The 17% budget cut, initially announced in July 2025, will see the ICRC's 2026 budget reduced by CHF 300 million, bringing it down to CHF 1.8 billion from CHF 2.1 billion. This is not the first time the humanitarian organization has faced such challenges. In 2023, the ICRC underwent a significant restructuring, reducing its budget from CHF 2.8 billion to CHF 2.1 billion and cutting around 4,500 jobs worldwide. The organization has stated that these reductions are a response to the 'instability and unpredictability of humanitarian funding' and a need to 'become more efficient' structurally. The budget still requires approval by the ICRC's supreme body, the Assembly, in November, meaning the final figures could still be subject to revision.

Impact on Staff and Operations

The 240 job cuts at the Geneva headquarters are expected to affect between 200 and 300 people, with approximately 95 voluntary redundancies anticipated. While the immediate focus is on the Geneva office, the cuts are also expected to be significant in various countries where the ICRC operates, potentially affecting several thousand jobs in the field. However, the ICRC aims to maintain its operational footprint in critical areas such as Ukraine, the Middle East, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Sudan, where it claims to use 93.5% of its funds for field operations.

Underlying Causes of Financial Strain

The financial difficulties stem from a combination of factors, including declining humanitarian aid budgets globally, soaring humanitarian needs, and rising inflation and supply costs. An ICRC spokesperson noted in 2025 that 'several European states are doing the same' as the United States in reducing humanitarian aid to 'prioritise national defence issues and rearm'. The organization relies heavily on voluntary contributions from states party to the Geneva Conventions, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, supranational organizations, and public and private donors. Despite these challenges, the ICRC emphasizes its commitment to maximizing the effectiveness of its humanitarian assistance and prioritizing areas where it has unique value and expertise.