Johns Hopkins University is set to eliminate more than 2,000 positions both domestically and internationally, a move triggered by a drastic cut of over $800 million in funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This marks the largest layoff in the institution's history, with 247 job losses occurring in the United States and an overwhelming 1,975 positions being cut across 44 countries.

The job cuts primarily affect the university's Bloomberg School of Public Health, the medical school, and its affiliated global health non-profit, Jhpiego. The move was confirmed by a spokesperson for Johns Hopkins, who described the circumstances as a challenging period for the academic institution and its community. The spokesperson stated, "The termination of more than $800 million in USAID funding is now forcing us to wind down critical work here in Baltimore and internationally."

The Trump administration announced earlier this month that it would cancel approximately 83% of USAID's programs, a decision that Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized would lead to significant reductions in contracts and funding for various projects. According to Reuters, 5,200 contracts have been terminated following a comprehensive six-week review.

Johns Hopkins has historically relied on federal funding, which accounted for nearly half of its resources in the previous year. The university's president, Ronald Daniels, highlighted the extensive impact of these cuts, warning of potential harm to essential programs aimed at enhancing global health and medicine.

Among those affected, approximately 29 international employees and 78 domestic staff will also be furloughed with reduced schedules. Critics of the funding cuts have voiced concerns over the potential ramifications for global health initiatives, emphasizing that these changes could jeopardize millions of lives dependent on the critical services that Johns Hopkins provides.

The university asserts that it is immensely proud of the work conducted through its Jhpiego program, which has been pivotal in health improvement efforts worldwide. As this situation unfolds, the future of numerous health programs and initiatives remains uncertain.

For more information, you can visit the original articles from Reuters, The Hill, and The Jakarta Post.