The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 17, 2025
Today: April 17, 2025

UN agency warns of impact on migrants as US cuts force shutdowns

An American flag and USAID flag fly outside the USAID building in Washington
March 18, 2025
Emma Farge - Reuters

By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) -The U.N. migration agency said on Tuesday that unprecedented cuts in donor funding this year will force it to scale back or shut down projects around the world, resulting in a severe impact on migrants.

The International Organization for Migration said it expected funding to be reduced by a record 30% this year due to a major decrease in U.S.-financed projects after President Donald Trump announced a major overhaul of aid funding.

This would mean scaling back or ending projects affecting over 6,000 staff worldwide and more than 250 at its Geneva headquarters, IOM said, without giving a full breakdown or details of the projects hit.

"The reduction in funding has severe impacts on vulnerable migrant communities, exacerbating humanitarian crises and undermining vital support systems for displaced populations," IOM said in a statement.

A record 123 million people are forcibly displaced around the world by conflict, climate change and disasters, and the figure is set to rise. IOM seeks to ensure humane and orderly migration for them and intervenes where needed.

Since 2023, it has been led by American Amy Pope who was a White House adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden, raising questions about how both she and the institution would fare under his successor Trump. The United States is by far its leading donor, providing over $1.4 billion in 2023.

The IOM said migration was central to global security and stability.

"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," it added.โ€ฏ

Other programmes helping refugees and migrants have been hit by funding shortages this year. The U.N. refugee agency said cuts had shuttered programmes to protect adolescent girls from child marriage in South Sudan and a safe house for displaced women in danger of being killed in Ethiopia.

(Reporting by Emma Farge, editing by Friederike Heine, Thomas Seythal abd Ed Osmond)

Related Articles

UN refugee agency says Cyprus still pushes back migrant boats, Cyprus insists agency has it wrong Venezuelaโ€™s Maduro calls US deportation of migrants to El Salvador a โ€˜kidnapping,โ€™ backs calls for their return Millions of people and hundreds of staff impacted by US aid cuts, UN migration agency says UN agency warns of impact on migrants as US cuts force shutdowns
Share This

Popular

Americas|Election|Political

Carney says Trump key issue in Canada's election, while Conservative rival says country needs change

Carney says Trump key issue in Canada's election, while Conservative rival says country needs change
Americas|Crime|Political|US|World

El Salvador blocks US senator from visiting wrongly deported Salvadoran man

El Salvador blocks US senator from visiting wrongly deported Salvadoran man
Americas|Election|Political

Carney faces off with chief rival during first Canada debate

Carney faces off with chief rival during first Canada debate
Americas|Crime|Political|US

Who is Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man ICE mistakenly deported to an El Salvador prison?

Who is Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man ICE mistakenly deported to an El Salvador prison?

Political

Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Political

South Korea holds rates as Trump tariffs heighten economic risks

South Korea holds rates as Trump tariffs heighten economic risks
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|MidEast|Political|US

Oil heads for weekly rise as US adds sanctions on Iran, OPEC cuts

Oil heads for weekly rise as US adds sanctions on Iran, OPEC cuts
Asia|Political|US|World

North Korea threatens a response to US flying long-range bombers over South Korea

North Korea threatens a response to US flying long-range bombers over South Korea
Education|Health|Political|Science|US

Harvard researchers say they might have to lay off workers and euthanize research animals due to funding freeze

Harvard researchers say they might have to lay off workers and euthanize research animals due to funding freeze

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In