The Trump administration has announced plans to drastically reduce the workforce at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), retaining fewer than 300 staff members out of its global workforce of over 10,000. The restructuring effort is part of a broader government reorganisation initiative, reportedly influenced by businessman Elon Musk, a close ally of President Donald Trump.
According to sources familiar with the plan, only 294 employees will remain at USAID, with just 12 staffers assigned to the Africa bureau and eight to the Asia bureau. This drastic measure has drawn sharp criticism from former agency officials and experts in humanitarian aid.
Concerns Over Humanitarian Impact
J. Brian Atwood, a former USAID chief who led the agency for over six years, condemned the decision, stating that the large-scale termination of personnel would effectively dismantle an organisation responsible for saving millions of lives worldwide. “This is outrageous. Many people will not survive without the critical aid USAID provides,” Atwood remarked.
With USAID playing a pivotal role in global relief efforts, the layoffs have left numerous life-saving programs in jeopardy. Sources indicate that many employees have already received termination notices, while contractors and implementing partners face uncertainty due to halted projects and funding freezes.
Allegations and Political Backdrop
The mass dismissals come amid allegations from Trump and Musk that USAID staff engaged in misconduct, an accusation that critics have dismissed as baseless. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State has remained silent on the matter, declining to provide any official response.
On Tuesday, the administration announced that all USAID employees would be placed on administrative leave, with the exception of personnel handling core leadership functions and critical programs. Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been designated as the acting USAID administrator, has signaled intentions to merge USAID with the State Department. However, such a merger would require congressional approval, as USAID operates under existing federal laws and funding structures.
USAID’s Global Reach and Uncertain Future
USAID, which employed over 10,000 people worldwide, managed more than $40 billion in aid during the last fiscal year. The agency provided assistance to 130 countries, including Ukraine, Ethiopia, Jordan, Somalia, and Afghanistan. The sudden restructuring has left essential programs addressing famine, disease control, and poverty relief in a state of uncertainty.
As the situation unfolds, aid organisations and humanitarian experts continue to voice concerns over the repercussions of this decision, warning that the impact could be devastating for millions relying on USAID’s assistance.
