The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has directed its global workforce to go on administrative leave starting Friday, 4 April, 2025. Employees have been ordered to return to the US within 30 days unless deemed essential.
As of 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, all direct-hire USAID personnel will be placed on administrative leave, except for those managing critical functions and key leadership roles. The agency is preparing travel arrangements for overseas staff and will terminate non-essential contracts, as per an official statement. USAID’s website, which was temporarily offline last week, is now back up with the announcement.
Direct hires, who are employed by the US government, will join the growing number of USAID contractors already furloughed or laid off. Those classified as essential will be notified by Thursday, 3 April, 2025, afternoon.
This move follows the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to restructure the agency. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been appointed acting administrator, reinforcing the State Department’s control over USAID.
On Monday, 30 March, 2025, thousands of USAID personnel lost access to emails and official systems. Employees were also told not to report to USAID headquarters in Washington, DC. Affected workers received emails instructing them to refrain from entering USAID premises or accessing agency resources. Many staffers remain in the dark about their status.
The changes come after an executive order, issued last month, paused all foreign aid for 90 days, creating uncertainty for global aid programmes. The dismantling of USAID could mean serious humanitarian consequences it is said. A Congressional Research Service report affirmed that the president cannot abolish the agency without congressional approval.
Employees are still taking in the chaos, with many returning from their overseas assignments. The future of US humanitarian efforts seems rather uncertain as is the fate of the agency.
