Humanitarian assistance experts have warned agency’s demise will harm vulnerable people and weaken US soft power.The administration of United States President Donald Trump is moving to fire or place on leave nearly all employees of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
All USAID employees, with the exception of “designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and/or specially designated programs”, will be placed on “administrative leave globally” from 11:59pm EST on Sunday (04:59 GMT Monday), the aid agency said in a notice on its website.
The process of laying off about 1,600 US-based personnel will take place concurrently, according to the notice.
“Individuals that are impacted will receive specific notifications on February 23, 2025, with further instructions and information about their benefits and rights,” the notice said.
“Designated essential personnel who are expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership February 23, 2025, by 5 pm EST [22:00 GMT].”
An earlier notice sent to employees had said about 2,000 US-based jobs would be eliminated. Advertisement
No reason was provided for the discrepancy.
The move comes after a US judge on Friday cleared the way for the Trump administration to push ahead with its plans to call back thousands of USAID staffers from overseas within 30 days.
“For overseas personnel, USAID intends a voluntary Agency-funded return travel program and other benefits,” USAID’s website said in its notice.
“USAID is committed to keeping its overseas personnel safe …