LOC19:20
16:20 GMT
GENEVA, Nov 20 (KUNA) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) declared on Friday that it is introducing austerity measures including a 17-percent budget reduction compared to 2025, in response to a shortfall in donor contributions for humanitarian aid.
The announcement came in a statement issued from Geneva following the ICRC Assembly's decision to approve the organization's 2026 budget of 1.8 billion Swiss CHF (approximately 1.46 billion dollars) despite the rising number of conflicts worldwide.
The organization said it must align its available resources for 2026 with its core priorities and prioritizes maintaining its presence in some of the most acute conflict areas including Sudan the occupied territories Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The decision also includes the elimination of 2.900 budgeted positions about a third of which will be achieved through voluntary departures and by not filling vacant roles.
ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric warned that the world is witnessing "a dangerous convergence between escalating armed conflicts and significant cuts in humanitarian funding and a systemic tolerance for grave violations of international humanitarian law." Adding that conflicts are now exceeding 130 globally.
She affirmed the ICRC's commitment to operating on the front lines of conflict, adding that "the financial reality is forcing us to make difficult decisions to ensure we can continue delivering vital humanitarian assistance to those who need it most."
Spoljaric stressed "As defence budgets surge states must also put more effort and resources into preventing conflicts defending the rules of war and providing humanitarian relief". (end)
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