On Thursday, a USAID employee in Central America made the decision to clear out her desk without any formal instructions. With a looming Friday deadline requiring her and other colleagues globally to go on administrative leave, uncertainty clouded the air.
Describing the situation as akin to being on the Titanic as it sinks, the employee lamented the loss of mission programs focused on democracy, HIV prevention, and environmental protection. Despite her desire to mourn, her immediate focus turned to repatriating her family to the US.
Leaving behind future plans, she gathered her remaining work and left, feeling like a pawn in a daunting game. Employees from various regions implementing USAID programs expressed feelings of abandonment by their government to the BBC, concerned about the impact of their absence on the countries and people they leave behind.
Subsequently, a US federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on the shutdown plans, offering a glimmer of hope to the affected staff. Nevertheless, the uncertainty persisted with a mandate to place employees on leave and expedite their departure from foreign postings.
The uncertainty and confusion felt by employees were exacerbated by the lack of clarity from superiors in Washington, leaving them pondering logistics such as repatriation, belongings, and accommodation upon their return to the US.
The broader implications of the sudden withdrawal also weighed heavily on their minds. Concerns centered around the fate of countries reliant on USAID support for combating various challenges like disease, famine, and conflict, as well as ongoing projects aimed at climate adaptation, democratic transitions, and tackling gender-based violence.
The impending changes within USAID's Office of Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean stirred worries about the US's diminished capacity to respond to regional crises, natural disasters, and social upheavals. There were also concerns about the safety and security of US citizens and diplomatic personnel in the absence of key support mechanisms.
The withdrawal's impact on vulnerable populations, including a sense of abandonment and vulnerability, underscored the critical role USAID plays in providing assistance in conflict areas and humanitarian crises where military intervention is limited.
The underlying reasons behind the withdrawal, linked to government efficiency and budget considerations, revealed a broader narrative of reshaping foreign aid priorities and optimizing resources.
As the employees grappled with the uncertainty ahead, the challenges of repatriation and rebuilding their lives loomed large. For some, the unfolding events represented a harsh reality of uprooting after dedicating years to serving US interests abroad, amidst a climate of profound change and uncertainty.