ICRC announces austerity measures due to financial problems
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the world's largest humanitarian organisation, has announced a series of austerity measures due to financial problems.
The measures include layoffs of 300 staff members at the ICRC's headquarters in Geneva, as well as the closure of some offices and branches in countries where they are vital to the population.
ICRC Director-General Robert Mardini said the measures were "painful, but necessary" to ensure the organisation's long-term sustainability. He said the ICRC was facing a number of financial challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the ongoing conflict in Syria.
The layoffs will affect staff members in all departments, including operations, finance, and human resources. The closures of offices and branches will affect countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The ICRC's presence in Moldova is essential to the country's response to the refugee crisis. The organisation has provided assistance to more than 400,000 refugees from Ukraine since the start of the war.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
