By Kolawole Ojebisi
At least 1600 persons will likely be rendered jobless, as the Donald Trump administration begins the mass dismissal of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) employees.
The news is contained in a statement on the agency’s website.
“As of 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025, all USAID direct hire personnel, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and/or specially designated programs, will be placed on administrative leave globally,” the statement reads.
“Concurrently, USAID is beginning to implement a Reduction-in-Force that will affect approximately 1,600 USAID personnel with duty stations in the United States.”
Affected individuals will receive specific notifications on February 23, 2025.
The agency said they will also receive further instructions and information about their benefits and rights.
“Designated essential personnel who are expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership February 23, 2025, by 5 p.m. EST,” the statement reads.
“For overseas personnel, USAID intends a voluntary Agency-funded return travel program and other benefits. USAID is committed to keeping its overseas personnel safe.
“Until they return home, personnel will retain access to Agency systems and to diplomatic and other resources.
“In the coming week, we will provide details on how to retrieve personal items from the former USAID workspaces and return government issued devices.
“Additional guidance is forthcoming, and all future updates/notices will continue to be communicated through official USAID channels and posted on USAID.gov for those without access to USAID systems.”
USAID is the world’s leading international development agency, responsible for billions of dollars in US aid projects across the world.
Most of these funds are channelled into disaster relief efforts while promoting development and global health.
The agency had earlier placed all directly-hired staff on administrative leave globally.
According to reports, Trump intends to effectively dismantle USAID and move the organisation’s operations to the State Department — as his administration seeks to shrink the federal workforce and save taxpayer resources.
