The decision by the Trump administration to place nearly all USAID direct-hire staff on leave has sent shockwaves through the international aid community.
The move, which affects over 10,000 employees globally, has been linked to the administration’s efforts to drastically cut foreign assistance, backed by Elon Musk’s cost-cutting measures under the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
A notification posted on USAID’s official website confirmed that by the end of Friday, February 7, 2025, all direct-hire personnel, except those deemed essential, would be placed on administrative leave.
The agency’s workforce, responsible for international development and humanitarian aid, has been given 30 days to return home, marking a significant shift in the US government’s approach to foreign aid.
The decision follows weeks of speculation about the fate of USAID amid broader restructuring efforts.
Reports indicate that various proposals had been considered, including the closure of smaller USAID missions and partial shutdowns of larger ones. However, the mass furlough of employees has been viewed as the most drastic measure taken so far.
USAID has already been significantly impacted by President Trump’s sweeping freeze on foreign aid. Thousands of employees had previously been laid off, and numerous programs had been suspended or shut down entirely.
The latest move is expected to further paralyse US-funded aid initiatives across the world. Musk, who has openly criticised USAID, has referred to the agency as a "criminal organisation" and has taken credit for its dismantling, boasting about the decision on X.
Over the weekend, USAID’s website was taken offline, reportedly as part of Musk’s broader efforts to overhaul government agencies. When it was restored on Tuesday, the sole post was the announcement about the administrative leave, reinforcing the scale of disruption facing the agency’s staff.
The decision has sparked significant backlash, particularly from lawmakers and employee unions. The American Foreign Service Association, which represents US diplomats, has strongly condemned the move and is reportedly preparing legal action to challenge it.
According to experts, the sudden recall of staff and their families could result in tens of millions of dollars in additional costs related to travel and relocation.
For USAID employees stationed abroad, the uncertainty has been overwhelming.
Many have been forced to make difficult decisions, such as withdrawing their children from school midway through the academic year or even giving away pets, fearing that the government would not grant them sufficient time to complete the necessary paperwork for their return.
Meanwhile, the announcement coincided with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Central America, where he met with embassy and USAID staff in El Salvador and Guatemala.
Although journalists were not permitted to attend these sessions, Rubio had previously expressed appreciation for USAID workers, particularly local employees, during a public event in Panama.
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