# World Health Organization restructuring and leadership exits

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/world-health-organization-restructuring-and-leadership-exits
> Updated: 2026-08-25T10:57:37.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is undergoing a major restructuring process that involves cutting approximately 2,400 positions, roughly one-quarter of its total workforce. This includes 900 staff reductions in Geneva.

The restructuring is accompanied by several high-level leadership departures. Scientific director Jeremy Farrar is scheduled to leave in late September, while Yukiko Nakatani, head of data and health systems, departed Geneva in mid-August to join the Japanese Ministry of Health. These exits occur amid internal criticism regarding the management of health data and the leadership of Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, alongside broader controversies concerning research funding and document transparency.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-25: World Health Organization opens 2026 internship applications

The World Health Organization is accepting applications for its 2026 internship program, featuring funded opportunities in Manila, Philippines, for students in various public health and administrative fields.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/world-health-organization-opens-2026-internship-applications

### 2026-08-21: World Health Organization faces major job cuts and leadership exits

The World Health Organization is cutting 2,400 jobs, roughly a quarter of its staff, amid high-level departures and internal criticism of leadership and data management.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/world-health-organization-faces-major-job-cuts-and-leadership-exits

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Cite as: World Health Organization restructuring and leadership exits. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/world-health-organization-restructuring-and-leadership-exits