The Trump administration is set to drastically reduce the workforce at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), with plans to retain fewer than 300 employees out of a global staff of over 10,000. This decision, reported by multiple sources to Reuters, has raised alarms about the future of the agency, which plays a critical role in delivering humanitarian aid worldwide.
The reorganization initiative, reportedly influenced by businessman Elon Musk, a close ally of President Trump, has been in the works since the administration took office on January 20. According to insiders, only 294 USAID staff members will be allowed to keep their positions, with particularly low numbers in key regions: just 12 in the Africa bureau and eight in the Asia bureau.
J. Brian Atwood, a former head of USAID who served for over six years, expressed his outrage at the proposed cuts, stating that such mass terminations would effectively dismantle an agency that has been instrumental in saving millions of lives globally. “A lot of people will not survive,” Atwood warned, now serving as a senior fellow at Brown University’s Watson Institute.
The U.S. Department of State has not commented on the situation, but the implications of the cuts are already being felt. Reports indicate that dozens of USAID employees have been placed on leave, while hundreds of contractors have been laid off, leaving critical humanitarian programs in jeopardy.
The administration’s recent announcement to place all directly hired USAID employees on leave globally, except for those in mission-critical roles, has further exacerbated concerns.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been appointed as the acting USAID administrator, has indicated that the administration is working to identify programs that will be exempt from the sweeping stop-work orders. These orders threaten vital efforts to combat disease, prevent famine, and alleviate poverty in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
The financial stability of USAID’s implementing partners is also at risk due to the halt in operations. Many organizations that rely on USAID funding are facing significant challenges as they navigate the uncertainty created by the administration’s directives.
The proposed overhaul aims to merge USAID with the State Department, a move that raises questions about its feasibility. While Rubio has been tasked with leading this effort, it remains unclear whether such a merger can occur without congressional approval, as USAID was established and funded through specific legislation that remains in effect.
Historically, USAID has employed more than 10,000 individuals globally, with approximately two-thirds of its workforce stationed outside the United States. In fiscal year 2023, the agency managed over $40 billion in aid, supporting programs in around 130 countries, many of which are grappling with conflict and extreme poverty.
The top recipients of USAID assistance included Ukraine, Ethiopia, Jordan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Yemen, and Afghanistan.
As the situation unfolds, sources within the agency have reported that some employees have already begun receiving termination notices. The USAID website announced that, effective February 7, all direct hire personnel would be placed on administrative leave, with only essential staff remaining active.
The potential impact of these cuts on global humanitarian efforts cannot be overstated. With millions of lives at stake, the future of USAID hangs in the balance as the Trump administration moves forward with its controversial plans.
The international community and humanitarian organizations are closely monitoring the developments, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes the needs of those most affected by crises around the world.
