UN agency cuts projects, affecting millions of migrants

The United Nations migration agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is facing significant funding cuts. It is cutting back or ending projects globally and laying off staff. This decision comes after a dramatic 30% reduction in funding, primarily from the United States. IOM warns that these cuts will have severe effects on vulnerable migrant communities. They can worsen existing humanitarian crises and disrupt crucial support systems for people who have been displaced. The agency announced it will also restructure by moving staff to cheaper locations and reducing its headquarters staff by 20%. The cuts could impact over 6,000 employees worldwide. IOM's statement highlighted that funding for addressing the root causes of displacement is decreasing, even as the world sees record levels of displacement. Programs in countries like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo are among those being halted. These programs include essential services like cholera prevention, emergency shelter distribution, and medical care.