USAID staff around the world are facing significant changes as they have been instructed to go on administrative leave and return to the United States. This directive was issued on Tuesday night and is set to take effect by 11:59 p.m. on Friday.
According to the USAID website, all direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, with exceptions made for individuals responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs. For those currently stationed outside the United States, the Agency is working with missions and the Department of State to arrange and cover the costs of return travel within 30 days. Additionally, plans are being made to terminate contracts that are not deemed essential.
Direct hires are government officials directly employed by the US government, distinguishing them from the contractors who form a significant portion of the USAID workforce. Prior to this directive, many contractors had already been furloughed or laid off.
Individual staff members began receiving emails on Tuesday notifying them of the administrative leave, followed by the agency-wide announcement. Preceding this, hundreds of contractors had been denied access to USAID's IT systems and premises.
