Trending 
The UN’s migration agency, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is set to lay off around 20% of its staff at its Geneva headquarters, sources confirmed Friday, as it grapples with deep cuts to US foreign aid.
The layoffs will affect at least 200 of the agency’s more than 1,000 headquarters staff members, according to multiple insiders. The move comes just weeks after IOM had to let go of approximately 3,000 workers, many of whom were involved in the US refugee resettlement programme, which was halted by the Trump administration.
“It’s hard to describe the mood,” said one IOM employee, speaking anonymously. “Staff in the media department were lined up for 15-minute individual meetings to announce they were sacked—those meetings lasted less than five minutes.”
Some staff were visibly upset, with employees seen crying after receiving the news. A former employee added that “dozens of staff” were notified of their termination, and several functional units, including the partnership programme and IT division, have been significantly impacted.
While IOM has not confirmed the extent of the layoffs, a spokesperson stated that the agency is “making necessary adjustments” to ensure its operations are more efficient, acknowledging the strain on both staff and the people the agency serves.
The layoffs are a direct result of significant reductions in US foreign aid, which traditionally accounted for over 40% of IOM’s budget. The agency’s reliance on voluntary contributions for specific programmes has made it vulnerable to such cuts. The sudden halt in funding has forced the agency to make difficult decisions, including staff reductions.
IOM’s Director-General Amy Pope commented, “We simply can’t afford to pay staff when we’re not being paid for our work,” acknowledging the tough decisions ahead. Meanwhile, many employees expressed anger at the manner in which the layoffs have been handled, with some pointing to a disproportionate impact on junior staff.
Staff shared a video from Pope’s recent visit to Guatemala, where she was seen dancing with the team, which sparked further frustration. “The DG dancing while people are being sacked—we absolutely are angry!” one staff member said.
