Trump administration’s sweeping cuts to leave USAID with just 294 of its 10,000 employees

The proposed plan would leave USAID, the US’s primary agency for delivering foreign humanitarian assistance, with a skeletal staff. Sources revealed that only 294 employees would remain, including just 12 in the Africa bureau and 8 in the Asia bureau, areas that are critical to combating poverty, disease, and conflict.

The cutbacks come as part of a reorganization initiative, driven in part by businessman Elon Musk, a key Trump ally, who has supported government downsizing. The administration has long targeted USAID for reform, and these cuts appear to fulfill that goal.

“A lot of people will not survive this,” said J. Brian Atwood, a former USAID administrator. “This effectively dismantles a program that has saved tens of millions of lives.”

Global programmes in limbo

The move has placed many life-saving programs in limbo. USAID’s projects focus on critical areas such as disease prevention, disaster relief, and poverty alleviation in some of the world’s most impoverished regions. In 2023, the agency provided assistance to over 130 countries, with top recipients being Ukraine, Ethiopia, Jordan, Somalia, and Afghanistan.

Demonstrators and lawmakers rally against President Donald Trump and his ally Elon Musk as they disrupt the federal government, including dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development, which administers foreign aid approved by Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had indicated that the administration was working to identify exempted programs from the sweeping stop-work orders, which took effect this week. However, many organizations that partner with USAID now face financial difficulties and uncertainty over ongoing projects.

“The administration’s disregard for these humanitarian programs will have catastrophic consequences,” said Tyler Hack, executive director of a non-profit supporting USAID’s mission. “The work we’ve done globally to fight hunger, stop the spread of diseases, and foster stability is now at risk.”

Overhaul to merge USAID with State Department

The cuts are part of a broader effort to merge USAID with the State Department, consolidating both entities under Rubio’s leadership. However, this merger cannot proceed without congressional approval, as USAID was established by federal law and receives its funding from appropriations authorized by Congress.

An Ethiopian woman stands by USAID sacks of wheat to be distributed by the Relief Society of Tigray in the town of Agula, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia Saturday, May 8, 2021. (AP)

Rubio has served as acting administrator since Trump’s inauguration and has been tasked with overseeing this restructuring, although it remains unclear whether lawmakers will agree to a full merger.

Uncertainty for thousands of employees

The reduction in staff could be devastating for USAID employees and their families. Termination notices have reportedly been issued, with many workers around the globe already placed on administrative leave. As of Friday, only staff responsible for “mission-critical functions” will remain.

“The life of thousands of people who work for USAID — and those who rely on USAID — will be drastically changed,” said a USAID employee who wished to remain anonymous. “People are scared. They don’t know what happens next.”

The loss of personnel is expected to hurt long-standing relationships with foreign governments, local organizations, and international partners, which are essential to the effectiveness of the US government’s foreign assistance programs.

Pushback from aid organizations and lawmakers

The cuts have sparked outrage from humanitarian organizations and many lawmakers. Critics argue that reducing USAID’s workforce so dramatically will weaken US influence abroad and create a vacuum that could be filled by other nations, particularly China and Russia, who have increased their presence in many developing regions.

Democratic lawmakers have also signalled their opposition to the cuts. Several have called for hearings to explore the impact of these changes on global security, US diplomatic relations, and the millions of people who benefit from USAID programs.

“The Trump administration’s decision to slash USAID’s workforce is reckless and dangerous,” said Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “At a time when global crises are escalating, the last thing we should do is undermine our own capacity to respond.”

The future of US Aid

The future of USAID and US foreign aid remains uncertain. While the administration’s goal is to streamline government operations and save costs, the broader implications of these cuts may ultimately harm US strategic interests and hinder efforts to address global challenges such as poverty, pandemics, and conflict.

For now, the question remains whether Congress will intervene to protect USAID’s mission or whether the agency will be fundamentally reshaped by the Trump administration’s cost-cutting agenda. Either way, the impact on global humanitarian efforts is likely to be profound.