Nigeria, Others Faces Aid Setback as UN Reduces Staff Following U.S. Funding Withdrawal

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is facing a significant shake-up, with plans to reduce its global workforce by 20% due to a staggering $58 million funding shortfall.

Nigeria is among ten countries where the agency will scale back its operations, marking a concerning shift at a time when global humanitarian needs are reaching record levels.

The announcement came in a staff briefing note from UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, following news that OCHA’s largest donor, the United States, is cutting its contribution.

“OCHA currently has a workforce of around 2,600 staff in over 60 countries. The funding shortfall means we are looking to regroup to an organization of around 2,100 staff in fewer locations,” Fletcher wrote, according to Reuters.

OCHA plays a critical role in global crisis response—coordinating aid, sharing vital information, advocating for vulnerable populations, and supporting the logistics behind humanitarian relief. The agency is largely funded by voluntary contributions from UN member states, with the U.S. historically leading the way.

Fletcher noted that the U.S. has been “the largest humanitarian donor for decades,” and its contribution of $63 million would have made up 20% of OCHA’s extra-budgetary resources in 2025.

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However, since returning to office in January, U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has aggressively cut billions in foreign aid in line with his “America First” policy, triggering ripple effects across international aid organizations.

As a result, OCHA will be scaling down its presence in ten countries: Nigeria, Cameroon, Colombia, Eritrea, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Turkey (Gaziantep), and others. These reductions come not because of decreasing needs, but solely due to reduced funding.

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“As we all know, these exercises are driven by funding cuts announced by Member States and not by a reduction of needs,” Fletcher emphasized. “Humanitarian needs are on the rise and have perhaps never been higher, driven by conflicts, climate crises, disease, and the lack of respect for international humanitarian law.”

The timing of these cuts couldn’t be more critical. With global crises—from war zones and natural disasters to hunger and displacement—stretching the humanitarian system thin, the decision to scale back comes with high stakes for millions of people who rely on timely and coordinated aid.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has already launched a broader initiative aimed at increasing efficiency and cutting operational costs across the UN system as it marks its 80th anniversary this year. But with financial pressures mounting and geopolitical priorities shifting, the future of international humanitarian aid hangs in the balance.

For nations like Nigeria—where conflict, displacement, and climate-related challenges continue to impact vulnerable communities—the reduced support from OCHA may mean a tougher road ahead in responding to emergencies and protecting those most in need.