Kathmandu- US President Donald Trump’s administration has decided to cut the jobs of 1,600 USAID employees. According to a statement issued by the administration on Sunday, except for high-level USAID employees and essential service personnel, all will be placed on administrative leave with pay.
Elon Musk’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ has been accused of trying to weaken the US international development agency USAID. USAID is an important US agency that manages foreign aid programs and plays a role in expanding US influence.
According to an email sent to a USAID employee, the employees affected by the cuts will be informed that they will be removed from federal service starting April 24. According to the official USAID website, all employees will be put on leave on Sunday night US time. In this regard, 1,600 USAID positions in the US are planned to be eliminated. According to initial information, 2,000 US employees were said to be laid off. The White House has not commented on the matter.
On Friday, a federal judge allowed the Trump administration to furlough thousands of USAID employees. Government employee unions have described the move as an attempt to weaken the agency. Former USAID officials say about 4,600 American employees could be furloughed.
Former USAID official Marcia Wong called the move “dangerous.” She said USAID employees are on the front lines of crises such as pandemics and natural disasters, and staff cuts could have a serious impact on aid programs.
Earlier, President Trump had issued an executive order to halt foreign aid for 90 days starting January 20. This has affected famine relief and other humanitarian programs. The administration has only granted $100 million in waivers to USAID programs, while the agency manages $40 billion in aid annually.
According to analysts, the Trump administration’s move appears to be aimed at limiting US international cooperation policy and humanitarian aid efforts, with the potential to weaken America’s diplomatic presence around the world.