UNICEF, like many other international organisations, is scaling back in Geneva.
It's shifting much of its regional headquarters to Rome and relocating around three-quarters of its staff to other various cities, including Brussels.
Of the 390 staff based in Geneva at the end of 2024, only about 100 are expected to remain, a move confirmed by Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Reports say the entire fundraising team has already left, with UNICEF’s Geneva presence to focus mainly on emergency programmes.
The restructuring aims to save USD 39m a year from next year.
Vincent Subilia from the Geneva Chamber of Commerce says the reduction in international workers in the city is a major blow and is urging Bern to do more to protect Geneva’s status.
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