UN to slash a quarter of peacekeepers globally over lack of funds

The United Nations will cut a quarter of peacekeepers in 11 operations around the world in the coming months due to a lack of money, senior U.N. officials said on Wednesday, and as future funding from the United States remains uncertain.



"Overall, we will have to repatriate... around 25% of our total peacekeeping troops and police, as well as theirequipment, and a large number of civilian staff in missions will also be affected," said a senior U.N. official, speaking on condition of anonymity.



That would amount to between 13,000 and 14,000 troops and police, the official said.



Washington is the U.N.'s largest peacekeeping contributor, accounting for more than 26% of funding, followed by China which pays nearly 24%. These payments are not voluntary.



The U.S. was already $1.5 billion in arrears before the new financial year began on July 1, said a second U.N. official. Washington now also owes an additional $1.3 billion, taking its total outstanding bill to more than $2.8 billion.