USAID workers put on leave for investigation
Due to President Donald Trump's ban on U.S. international aid, hundreds of internal contractors at the U.S. Agency for International Development are on unpaid leave or being fired.
Furloughs occur despite U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issuing a waiver for "life-saving humanitarian assistance" during the 90-day review Trump launched upon taking office on Jan. 20, as Fox News reported.
On Wednesday, health and humanitarian groups worldwide were unsure if their initiatives were covered by the waiver and how to resume operations.
The administration is reviewing tens of billions of dollars in U.S. foreign aid worldwide to ensure it supports Trump's "America First" foreign policy and doesn't waste taxpayer money.
US Donations
The US provides the most aid worldwide. It gave $72 billion worldwide in 2023 for women's health in crisis zones, clean water, HIV/AIDS treatments, energy security, and anti-corruption.
On Wednesday, the State Department claimed the aid freeze ended "condoms and other contraceptive services in Gaza", clean energy programs for women in Fiji, and family planning in Latin America.
It did not specify which aid agencies provided the funds, but over $1 billion in spending "not aligned with an America First agenda has been prevented."
Hundreds of institutional support contractors, including those at USAID offices, were furloughed after the administration placed 60 career officials on leave on Monday, reportedly to silence dissent and address concerns about non-partisan leadership at the agency.
From the Inside
Due to the sensitive nature of the subject, a USAID official claimed "stop-work" orders for institutional support contracts on Monday sent 600 personnel home and furloughed in the Global Health division.
Public Health Institute (PHI), an institutional support contractor for USAID's Global Health Bureau, notified staff late Tuesday that a stop-work order had terminated their employment.
It did not specify which aid agencies provided the funds, but over $1 billion in spending "not aligned with an America First agenda has been prevented."
Hundreds of institutional support contractors, including those at USAID offices, were furloughed after the administration placed 60 career officials on leave on Monday, reportedly to silence dissent and address concerns about non-partisan leadership at the agency.
