Key Takeaways:

• Almost all USAID employees will be placed on administrative leave starting February 7.
• This move affects about 10,000 personnel, predominantly those stationed overseas.
• Critics argue this restructuring could severely impact international humanitarian efforts.

In a sweeping move, the Trump administration has ordered that nearly all directly hired employees of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) be placed on administrative leave effective February 7. This decision follows just weeks after Trump returned to office and initiated various cuts to government programs.

According to reports, approximately 10,000 USAID employees, two-thirds of whom are deployed in more than 60 foreign countries, will be impacted by this move. An official notice stated that only personnel engaged in "mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs" would be exempt from the leave, leading to significant uncertainty and disruption within the agency.

As detailed in the announcement, the agency is collaborating with the State Department to facilitate the return travel for employees working abroad, promising coverage of expenses within the next month. Meanwhile, all contracts not deemed essential will be terminated, adding to the utmost concern among local and international partners dependent on USAID's support.

The restructuring plan has been publicly supported by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who now serves as acting head of USAID. He has criticized the agency as "unresponsive" and indicated a potential merger of USAID functions into the State Department. This has drawn backlash, particularly among Democrats, who assert that Trump's moves are unconstitutional as USAID was established by Congress in 1961.

The initiative to dismantle USAID further aligns with Trump's criticism of the agency as "corrupt" and the claims of billionaire Elon Musk, who labels it a "criminal organization". Experts warn that reducing or eliminating USAID's operations could significantly hinder the U.S.'s ability to respond to global humanitarian crises, considering the agency provides over half of the U.S.'s foreign aid budget, which amounted to more than $72 billion in 2023 alone, serving crucial health, development, and emergency needs.

Recent reports have highlighted how USAID funding has supported vital programs ranging from health initiatives in conflict zones to combatting diseases such as Ebola. Advocates for the agency are concerned about the long-term implications for global partnerships, development, and the challenges in facing international crises without this robust support system.

The implications of these changes remain to be seen, but the announcement has triggered alarm across the humanitarian sector and among lawmakers, emphasizing the grave consequences that could arise from such an abrupt cessation of operations at a critical time.

For further details on the organization's restructuring plans, click here to read more.