USAID Employees Express Panic Over 30-Day Recall Order; Secretary Rubio Responds

By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU

Washington, D.C. —USAID employees stationed abroad are expressing confusion, anxiety, and even panic over a sudden directive requiring them to return to the United States within 30 days. The move, which could force workers to uproot their lives on short notice, has raised concerns about the lack of clear guidance and the implications for staff members with families settled overseas.

In a press briefing, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision, emphasizing that affected employees are being placed on a leave of absence rather than being dismissed outright.

He assured that exceptions would be considered for those facing significant personal or logistical hardships, such as employees with children enrolled in local schools or spouses working at embassies.

“We’re not trying to be disruptive to people’s personal lives,” Rubio stated.

“We’re not being punitive here.”

Rubio explained that the recall directive was necessary due to ongoing issues with USAID’s central office.

He alleged that some personnel had attempted to circumvent stop orders by sneaking through payments that were under review.

This, he said, left the administration with no choice but to take direct action to regain control over USAID operations.

The secretary also clarified that while certain programs would be exempt from the recall order, the process of identifying those programs was still underway.

He reiterated that the U.S. remains committed to foreign aid but stressed that future initiatives must align more closely with national interests.

Despite these assurances, employees affected by the decision remain uncertain about their options—particularly whether they can remain in their assigned countries while serving out their administrative leave.

Rubio did not provide a definitive answer on this issue but reiterated that the U.S. government was willing to assist in returning employees home if needed.

The abrupt recall has sparked criticism from within the agency as staff struggle to navigate the sudden upheaval.

Some are calling for clearer guidance and a more structured approach to implementing the policy.

 U.S. Aid to Haiti and International Commitments

Rubio also addressed concerns about U.S. foreign aid commitments, particularly regarding Haiti. He highlighted that the U.S. has contributed $15 million to a United Nations fund supporting Haitian stability efforts, with only $13 million of that currently frozen.

Additionally, he noted that Washington has authorized nearly $40 million in further assistance, including funding for logistical support directed at the Haitian National Police.

In a pointed remark, Rubio urged other wealthy nations to step up their commitments, criticizing countries that, in his view, are not contributing their fair share.

He singled out Kenya for praise, commending the East African nation for its willingness to engage in stabilization efforts while some countries within the Western Hemisphere remain on the sidelines.

The developments highlight ongoing challenges within USAID and the broader U.S. foreign aid strategy.

As employees scramble to adjust to the new directive, questions remain about how the shake-up will impact America’s international development efforts in the near future.