In a surprising move, the current administration has decided to significantly cut back on the workforce of USAID. This controversial decision could affect around 10, 000 employees who have dedicated their time and lives to USAID. This shake up started with agency officials. They were informed that the majority of employees will be sent home very quickly!

    President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have been questioning the need for USAID. The program has been a target of scrutiny due to fears of excessive spending on foreign assistance.  The president has plans to find ways to eliminate wasteful spending.  This task was given to Elon Musk and his Agency for Efficiency. The program's budget is around $40bn annually, which is less than 1% of the federal budget.

    The administration has been trying to convince people that foreign aid is a waste of money. We should question who benefits from this decision. It is not unusual to question the value of foreign aid as a country. But, to get rid of 10, 000 people who are there to make things better is hard to believe.

    Currently, USAID employs about 10, 000 people worldwide, including 5, 000 who are directly hired by the government. Of those, fewer than 300 will remain. Those who stay will be focused on humanitarian assistance and global health.

    The fate of the 5, 000 locally employed staff is still unclear.  More than 1, 400 USAID employees are currently serving overseas. The State Department will arrange and pay for their return home within 30 days, but there are some exceptions.

    This move has caused chaos for USAID and the companies that work with them. This has taken a toll on jobs at US companies.  USAID has already eliminated thousands of contractor positions.  This is not the first time that such freeze on foreign assistance has been ordered.

    The administration has been trying to convince everyone that all foreign aid must directly benefit the US. But, current and former officials are doubtful about achieving that goal.  In an internal message, the official described the security risk to staff, families, US government property and life-saving programmes as unacceptably high.

Small Number is left at USAID

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