Trump administration to cut USAID staff by 97%

ArmInfo. President Donald Trump's administration plans to reduce the number of employees at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) by 97%, from the current 10,000 to 294 people, as reported by Reuters. The source notes that, for example, eight staff will remain in the Asian bureau, and 12 in the African one.  Former USAID Director John Brian Atwood (1993-1999) said that the decision could potentially kill the  agency.

According to NPR, USAID employees have filed a lawsuit in a federal  court in Washington against the Trump administration. They argue that  Congress is the only entity that may lawfully dismantle the agency,  and the administration's actions are "unconstitutional and illegal."  NPR also notes that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was given a  list of approximately 600 employees from around the world whose work  is considered essential, but Rubio agreed not to fire less than half  of them.  The media also reported that USAID employees working abroad  were given 30 days to return to the United States. The agency  operates in 130 countries. In 2023, the agency distributed more than  $40 billion in aid, with Ukraine being the main recipient of  assistance.

It should be noted that on April 17, 2024, following the high-level  meeting of Armenia-EU-US in Brussels on April 5, USAID published a  press release highlighting the agency's activities in Armenia.  The  agency recalled that since 1992, the United States has invested about  $3.3 billion in Armenia to support democratic reforms, economic  growth, sustainability, and humanitarian assistance. In line with its  commitment to advancing a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous  Armenia for future generations, USAID will allocate $33 million to  support the people of Armenia by assisting those displaced by recent  hostilities, strengthening the energy sector, addressing food  insecurity, promoting economic stability, digital governance,  regional integration and protecting human rights.