Update on IOM Operations Amid Budget Cuts

Geneva, 18 March 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is implementing essential structural adjustments at its Geneva headquarters and globally to align with the unavoidable financial realities following an unprecedented 30 per cent reduction in estimated donor funding for the year, including a major decrease in U.S. funded projects worldwide.   

The reduction in funding has severe impacts on vulnerable migrant communities, exacerbating humanitarian crises and undermining vital support systems for displaced populations. Further, this adjustment includes scaling back or ending projects affecting over 6,000 staff members worldwide and implementing a structural realignment at headquarters, reducing headquarters staffing by approximately 20 per cent (more than 250 staff).  

These measures aim to ensure that IOM can continue delivering lifesaving humanitarian assistance to migrants and vulnerable communities worldwide, driving solutions for displaced populations, and supporting governments around the world in managing migration for the benefit of societies and migrants.   

IOM operates under a project-based funding model, established by its Member States, which allows for flexibility, agility, and responsiveness to global humanitarian needs. When funding for specific projects ends, the impacts can be far-reaching, particularly for vulnerable communities who often have very few other options for support. Necessarily, the financial resources to support staffing at headquarters and in our country missions also ends.   

The Organization’s priority is to serve vulnerable populations worldwide despite the constrained funding environment. To deliver on this mission in the most efficient way possible, the Organization is moving positions into lower cost regional offices and country missions, streamlining staffing, and identifying opportunities to better coordinate our work with other humanitarian actors. These decisions have been communicated to our Member States and were built on the historic budget reform efforts passed by our Council in 2022.  We expect that these changes will save costs as well as enable us to extend greater support globally to provide essential humanitarian assistance in crises worldwide.   

These necessary adaptations will also enable the Organization to develop new funding, continue essential oversight and accountability, and streamline operations as IOM evolves to overcome current challenges and build on our proud history. Throughout this process, IOM has prioritized mitigating risks to both staff and operations by ensuring that reductions are applied strategically and in consultation with the leadership of the affected teams and that frontline assistance remains protected, while we work to strengthen long-term sustainability.    

We recognize the necessary impact these decisions will have on colleagues who have dedicated years to IOM’s mission, many of whom will lose their jobs. We deeply value the dedication and service of our staff, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to support migrants and displaced communities worldwide. We know that our staff share our commitment to serving some of the world’s most vulnerable populations around the globe at a critical moment in time. Quite simply, IOM staff represent the best of public service. We are deeply sorry to lose them.  

At a time when conflict, climate-induced disasters, and economic instability are driving record levels of displacement, migration is not a peripheral issue, it is central to global security, stability, and sustainable development. The world is witnessing historic displacement levels, yet funding to address the root causes of displacement is shrinking.  

The international community must not sideline migration governance. Addressing forced displacement, climate-induced disasters, and mobility is not only a humanitarian imperative but also essential to future global stability.    

Despite these challenges, IOM remains committed to its mission and to ensuring that migration and displacement remain at the center of global policy discussions. The world cannot afford to look away as needs grow and resources diminish.    

 IOM will continue working closely with Member States, donors and partners to sustain essential humanitarian operations, advocate for long-term solutions, and ensure that migration remains a priority in the global response to today’s crises.