GENEVA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Friday that its Assembly has approved the organization's 2026 budget of 1.8 billion Swiss Francs (2.23 billion U.S. dollars), a 17 percent reduction compared with 2025, citing declining donor contributions for humanitarian aid.

Aligning available resources for 2026 with the ICRC's core priorities will result in a reduction of approximately 2,900 budgeted positions across the organization, it said, adding that about a third of the reductions will be achieved through voluntary departures and by leaving vacant positions unfilled.

As the organization moves to further consolidate its budget amid a challenging financial environment in the humanitarian sector, it will focus on providing relief to those hardest hit by conflicts around the world, the ICRC said.

Noting that the world is currently facing "a dangerous convergence of escalating armed conflicts, significant cuts to aid funding, and a systemic tolerance for grave breaches of international humanitarian law," ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said the ICRC remains committed to working on the front lines of conflict.

She called on states to devote more efforts and resources. (1 Swiss franc = 1.24 U.S. dollar) ■