UNHCR’s Ireland office is to lose several positions in Dublin while other roles are being downgraded. It follows a wider review of positions within the UN refugee agency, which has been impacted by the global cuts being imposed across the sector.
Irish based staff have been informed of the impacts affecting the Irish branch but have been reassured that the UNHCR will remain a national office and it will maintain a presence in Ireland.
It is understood that the staff cuts will come into effect by September.
The US President Donald Trump has scaled back American commitments as the world’s single largest aid donor by slashing US aid programs.
The United States Agency for International Development has recently been formally wound down after 83% of its programs were cancelled earlier this year.
In a statement issued to RTÉ News, a spokesperson said that the UNHCR will continue its work with and on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers in line with its mandate.
As part of the agency’s broader cost-cutting measures, UNHCR has had to close or downsize offices worldwide and implement a nearly 50% reduction in senior positions at its Geneva headquarters and regional bureaus.
In total, approximately 3,500 staff positions will be discontinued.
Overall, UNHCR estimates a global reduction in staffing costs of around 30%.
Humanitarian agencies have warned that 14 million lives could be lost due to President Trump’s aid cuts.
UNHCR’s recently published Global Trends Report shows that the number of people uprooted by war is at decade high levels. The report calls for continued funding of UNHCR programmes that save lives, reinforce basic infrastructure and services in host countries.