UN agency to cut projects, impacting global migrants

The U.N. migration agency has warned that significant cuts in funding will greatly affect migrants around the world. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced on Tuesday it expects a 30% decrease in donations this year. This follows a major drop in U.S. funding after President Donald Trump's changes to aid. The funding cuts will lead to the scaling back or closure of projects that support more than 6,000 staff globally. The IOM mentioned that over 250 staff members at its Geneva headquarters will also be impacted. However, specific details on which projects will be affected were not provided. IOM stated that this funding reduction will severely harm vulnerable migrant communities. It could worsen humanitarian crises and weaken support networks for displaced people. Currently, over 123 million people worldwide are forcibly displaced due to conflict, climate change, and disasters. IOM aims to promote safe and orderly migration and responds whenever necessary. Since 2023, the organization has been led by American Amy Pope, a former White House adviser. There are concerns about how the IOM will navigate these funding challenges under a potential return of Trump to office.