The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that a significant number of its employees will be placed on leave starting Friday night, as detailed on its website. The agency specified that, apart from staff in critical roles, leadership, and designated programs, all direct-hire personnel will be affected by this measure by the week's end.
President Donald Trump has initiated a series of cutbacks to government-funded initiatives since his recent return to office, with USAID being the latest target. The decision to furlough employees has raised concerns about its potential impact on global humanitarian efforts.
To facilitate the process, USAID will collaborate with the State Department to arrange and cover travel expenses for personnel stationed outside the U.S. within the next month. Employees exempted from the leave will receive notification by 15:00 EDT (20:00 GMT) on Thursday.
The agency, which supports humanitarian aid in over 100 countries, employs 10,000 individuals globally, with two-thirds stationed overseas, as reported by the Congressional Research Service. Amidst the changes, many USAID workers were recently placed on paid administrative leave, restricting their access to agency premises but requiring them to remain reachable during business hours.
Trump and his allies have been focused on reducing government spending since reassuming office, culminating in Secretary of State Marco Rubio taking over as the interim head of USAID and overseeing its merger with another government agency. Elon Musk, appointed to identify budget cuts, has advocated for the closure of USAID, citing it as irreparable.
The potential repercussions of shutting down USAID have been highlighted, as its initiatives span from assisting injured soldiers to combating global health crises like Ebola. Democrats, including Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey, have criticized the move, emphasizing the agency's bipartisan significance in safeguarding national interests.
Established in 1961, USAID operates in 60 countries and extends its reach to numerous others, managing a significant fiscal portfolio exceeding $40 billion in the 2023 fiscal year.