Trump has overhauled USAID: a new bureau and a 95% reduction in staff
21 March 16:07
The Trump administration is launching a major overhaul of the foreign aid system following the final dissolution of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Bloomberg reports this, according to [Komersant].
According to anonymous sources at the agency, the State Department is preparing to announce the consolidation of all humanitarian functions within the newly created Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response.
The new structure will have just over 200 employees, representing only about 5% of the former agency’s previous staff.
By comparison, in the final year of the Biden administration, more than 10,000 people worked on USAID projects, including local staff and contractors.
Drastic Budget Cuts
Along with the personnel changes, there has been a significant reduction in funding for international humanitarian programs. The budget for the current year has been cut to $5.4 billion, which is only a fraction of the $43 billion that USAID managed in fiscal year 2023.
Representatives of the current administration justify these steps by the need to maximize efficiency.
The White House is discontinuing programs focused on climate and social issues, redirecting resources exclusively to measures that directly save lives.
What are the expected humanitarian consequences
Experts and advocacy groups are expressing serious concern over the massive cuts to resources.
Jeremy Konindyk, President of Refugees International, notes that under these conditions, U.S. aid will not be able to maintain its previous level of impact on global health.
Additionally, a study published in The Lancet warns that the elimination of USAID could lead to 14 million additional deaths worldwide by 2030.
The State Department rejects these conclusions, deeming them based on flawed assumptions, and emphasizes that aid is becoming more effective and targeted.
On the Elimination of USAID
In January 2025, Trump issued an executive order suspending all U.S. foreign aid programs for 90 days, including aid through USAID.
In February, USAID headquarters was closed. Staff were instructed to stay home. On the same day, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he was assuming the duties of Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Prior to this, the USAID office in Ukraine received orders to suspend all projects in Ukraine and their funding. The list includes not only anti-corruption programs but also educational and energy initiatives.
On March 10, Rubio announced the official closure of 83% of USAID programs.
As of July 1, USAID ceased providing assistance. The organization was among the first to face funding cuts under the DOGE initiative led by Elon Musk.
In total, USAID invested in and supported 29 different sectors in 158 countries worldwide. Key areas included economic growth and trade, humanitarian aid, education, energy, infrastructure development, technology, and other sectors.
