Staff will be put on leave starting on Friday – USAID
Thousands of employees at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will be placed on leave from Friday night, the agency has said in a statement on its website.
In the announcement, USAID said all “direct-hire personnel” will be placed on leave at the end of this week except those on “mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programmes”.
The move is the latest in a string of cuts President Donald Trump has made to government-funded programs since returning to office last month.
Many have argued the choice to shut it down could have a profound impact on humanitarian programmes around the world.
USAID said it would work with the State Department to arrange and pay for return travel for its many personnel posted outside the US within the month.
Those employees who are part of the exceptions will be told 8:OO on Thursday.
A statement posted on USAID’s website concludes with the message: “Thank you for your service.”
