UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will cut 20 percent of its staff as it faces a shortfall of $58 million, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher has told staff after OCHA’s largest donor — the United States — cut funding.
“OCHA currently has a workforce of around 2,600 staff in over 60 countries. The funding shortfall means we are looking to regroup to an organization of around 2,100 staff in fewer locations,” Fletcher wrote in a note to staff on Thursday.
OCHA works to mobilize aid, share information, support aid efforts, and advocate for those in need during a crisis. It relies heavily on voluntary contributions.
“The US alone has been the largest humanitarian donor for decades, and the biggest contributor to OCHA’s program budget,” Fletcher said, noting that its annual contribution of $63 million would have accounted for 20 percent of OCHA’s extrabudgetary resources in 2025.
Since returning to office in January for a second term, US President Donald Trump’s administration has slashed billions of dollars in foreign assistance in a review that aimed to ensure programs align with his “America First” foreign policy.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month announced a new initiative to improve efficiency and cut costs as the world body turns 80 this year amid a cash crisis.
Fletcher said OCHA would “focus more of our resources in the countries where we work,” but would work in fewer places.
“OCHA will scale back our presence and operations in Cameroon, Colombia, Eritrea, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Gaziantep (in Turkiye) and Zimbabwe,” Fletcher said.
“As we all know, these exercises are driven by funding cuts announced by Member States and not by a reduction of needs,” he said. “Humanitarian needs are on the rise and have perhaps never been higher, driven by conflicts, climate crises, disease, and the lack of respect of international humanitarian law.”

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have agreed to enhance cooperation between their air forces, focusing on joint exercises and advanced tactical training, during a visit by the Pakistani air chief to Beijing, according to an official statement released on Friday.
The two countries maintain close defense, diplomatic and economic relations. Their strategic partnership is exemplified by their collaboration on the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, co-developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. The aircraft has been inducted into Pakistan’s fleet and exported to countries including Myanmar, Nigeria, and Azerbaijan.
The Pakistan military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement that Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu held a meeting with China’s Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun wherein both officials reaffirmed the joint commitment of the two countries to revitalize the existing bilateral military ties strategic cooperation.
“Both sides agreed on enhancing Air Force-to-Air Force cooperation, particularly through complex and aggressive tactical-level scenarios during aerial exercises,” the ISPR said. “The cooperation is aimed at addressing challenges in multiple domains during joint exercises, equipping air and ground crew of both Air Forces with the skills necessary to counter modern Air and Space Warfare challenges effectively.”
During his visit, the Pakistani air chief also met with China’s Air Force Commander General Chang Dingqiu and Major General Cao Xiaojian, Director General of the Bureau of Military Equipment and Technical Cooperation.
Sidhu’s conversation with the Chinese officials focused on technology transfer and collaborative development of advanced military hardware.
He also invited Chinese defense companies to participate in its National Aerospace Science & Technology Park, offering incentives for developing projects in unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare and space programs.
The air chief’s visit underscored the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, which extends beyond defense to include economic initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.