A significant number of personnel directly employed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will be temporarily suspended from their roles starting Friday, February 7, as part of a broader review of US foreign aid. This decision comes after President Donald Trump issued an order for a 90-day pause on most foreign aid to assess its alignment with US priorities and effectiveness. ALSO READ: Rwanda, USAID sign over $643.8 million deal to support transformative development With a workforce of more than 10,000, about two-thirds are stationed overseas, according to the US Congressional Research Service's report updated on January 6, which excludes institutional support contractors from this count. “On Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm (EST), all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, with exceptions for designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs. Essential personnel expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership by Thursday, February 6, at 3:00pm (EST),” USAID announced in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 4. Established in 1961 under the Foreign Assistance Act, USAID serves as the principal US government agency for international humanitarian and development aid, managing billions of dollars in assistance to over 100 countries. ALSO READ: $85m US projects expected to enhance healthcare in Rwanda For USAID personnel currently abroad, the agency, in coordination with missions and the Department of State, is developing a plan to arrange and fund return travel to the United States within 30 days, adhering to all legal and operational requirements. USAID also plans to terminate non-essential contracts with personal services contractors (PSCs) and institutional support contractors (ISCs). “The Agency will consider case-by-case exceptions and return travel extensions based on personal or family hardship, mobility or safety concerns, or other reasons. For example, exceptions might be made for the timing of dependents’ school terms, personal or familial medical needs, pregnancy, and other valid reasons. Further guidance on requesting an exception will be forthcoming,” the statement elaborated. ALSO READ: Trump pledges to save America from 'decline' A January 26 press statement from the US Department of State, in line with President Trump's Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, announced that Secretary Marco Rubio had paused all US foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and USAID for a comprehensive review. This initiative is said to be aimed at ensuring that all programs are efficient and in sync with the America First policy. President Trump has emphasized that the US will no longer distribute funds without expecting a return for American taxpayers, as highlighted in the press statement. ALSO READ: Rwandans living with HIV wary of uncertainty in US funding However, an exception has been made for HIV management programmes following concerns raised by the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) about the potential harm to those living with HIV if funding were to be halted. In a media note from January 29, the Department of State underscored that the US spends approximately $40 billion annually on foreign aid, representing nearly 40% of global humanitarian aid. The statement stressed the need for transparency and accountability for every dollar spent.
