USAID places direct-hire personnel on admin leave globally

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) will place all direct-hire personnel on administrative leave globally starting Friday, February 7, 2025, with exceptions for essential staff.

Personnel assigned to mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs are exempt from administrative leave and will be notified by Thursday, February 6.

USAID personnel stationed outside the US are being prepared for return travel to the US within 30 days, with arrangements and funding provided by the agency.

Contracts for non-essential Personal Services Contractors (PSC) and Institutional Support Contractors (ISC) will also be terminated.

Exceptions to return travel and administrative leave may be granted on a case-by-case basis for reasons such as personal or family hardship, mobility or safety concerns, dependents' school terms, or medical needs.

The agency's website and official social media accounts were temporarily offline, but the website has since been restored.

Last month, the US State Department issued a "stop-work" order for all existing foreign assistance and paused new aid, following a Trump order to pause and review if aid allocation was aligned with his foreign policy.