The move is expected to have a significant impact on the agency, which employs more than 10,000 people, with around two-thirds stationed overseas, according to Al Jazeera.
The United States President, Donald Trump’s administration has ordered nearly all directly hired staff of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to be placed on leave as part of a broader effort to shrink the government.
In a statement released on Tuesday, USAID announced that, effective Friday, all direct-hire personnel would be placed on leave, except for “designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs.”
The move is expected to have a significant impact on the agency, which employs more than 10,000 people, with around two-thirds stationed overseas, according to Al Jazeera.
USAID personnel currently posted abroad have been instructed to return to the United States within 30 days, according to the agency’s announcement.
However, exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis for reasons such as personal or family hardship, safety concerns, or medical needs.
“For example, the Agency will consider exceptions based on the timing of dependents’ school term, personal or familial medical needs, pregnancy, and other reasons,” the statement said. Further details on the exemption process will be provided at a later date.
The decision is part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
USAID, which manages billions of dollars in foreign aid, has been a frequent target of budget-cutting efforts by conservative policymakers.
While the agency has not specified how long the leave period will last or what the long-term impact on U.S. foreign aid operations will be, the move signals a dramatic shift in the government’s approach to international development under the Trump administration.
The statement concluded with a simple message to affected staff: “Thank you for your service.”
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