USAID places global staff on leave, ends non-essential contracts

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that direct-hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally starting Friday, February 7.

Exceptions will be made for essential staff responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs, who will receive notification by Thursday at 3:00 pm EST regarding their continued employment and return travel arrangements to the US within 1 month.

USAID stated that it is preparing a plan to arrange and pay for the return of essential personnel deployed outside the US within 30 days.

The agency also plans to terminate contracts not deemed essential, but will consider case-by-case exceptions based on personal or family hardship, mobility or safety concerns, or other reasons.

USAID's decision follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump last month halting all foreign aid for 75 days as part of broader efforts to dismantle USAID.