Workers at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) faced heart-wrenching goodbyes as they cleared out their desks, part of the Trump administration’s drastic measures to dismantle the agency and its initiatives. On Thursday, the last remaining employees of USAID were escorted out under tight security, with many visibly shaken and emotional as they packed their belongings amid cheers of support from outside.
Reports indicate over 90% of USAID’s contracts for humanitarian and development work globally were terminated this week, impacting projects meant to assist communities worldwide. According to the Associated Press, this upheaval is largely attributed to the cost-cutting agenda spearheaded by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which views USAID programs as overly expansive and wasteful.
One of the most significant casualties of this overhaul has been the Power Africa initiative, which aimed to provide renewable energy solutions to the more than 600 million people lacking reliable electricity across the continent. Launched by former President Obama, Power Africa operated under USAID and had received over $1 billion since 2013. Its termination leaves many energy projects and partnerships, including 150 initiatives adding nearly 15,500 megawatts to power generation, vulnerable to collapse.
Among the affected staff members was 25-year-old Juliane Alfen, who fought through tears as she recounted the rapid loss of her job. "Heartbreaking," she described her experience, clutching her belongings and recalling how she believed her work had made a difference. "To see everything disappearing before our eyes is ... very scary." Alfen’s sentiments reflect the shared sense of confusion and despair among former employees.
The abruptness of the cuts has been met with stark criticism. Liz Schrayer, head of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, emphasized the dire warnings of what the loss of USAID could mean. "The American people deserve a transparent accounting of what will be lost — on counterterror, global health, food security, and competition," she stated, highlighting the broader ramifications for U.S. humanitarian efforts.
Devon Behrer, who had only begun working at USAID three months before the cuts, articulated her shock and disappointment: "My plan was to come here and go to development work. My plan went up in smoke Monday," she lamented. This emotional turmoil extends beyond individual loss, showcasing the potential ramifications for U.S. diplomatic relations and long-held foreign assistance strategies.
A significant aspect of these changes includes the shutdown and liquidation of numerous foreign aid contracts. Reports revealed thousands of deals aimed at combating the HIV epidemic in South Africa were permanently canceled, with other countries like Uganda also feeling the impact as health initiatives, including Ebola response projects, faced the axe.
The actions taken against USAID and Power Africa have sparked broader discussions about U.S. humanitarian aid policy. Representatives like Gerald Connolly have criticized the targeting of USAID employees as "unwarranted and unprecedented," noting the agency’s role as “the world’s premier development and foreign assistance agency,” which saves millions of lives every year.
From projects aimed at improving global health to fostering economic opportunities, the repercussions of this decision are far-reaching. More than 1,600 federal workers lost their jobs with this mass dismissal, drastically altering the agency’s operational capacity. The response from the federal government has been notable for its apparent lack of congressional oversight, raising questions about the future of U.S. foreign assistance and international relations.
After the announcements of terminations, many USAID employees were escorted out with little warning, often left with only 15 minutes to gather their personal belongings—a move described by critics as “incredibly disrespectful.” Randy Chester, vice president of the American Foreign Service Association, expressed gratitude to departing employees, thanking them for their service and sacrifices. Outside, there was visible support from friends and family who displayed handwritten signs of encouragement, showcasing the human cost of these sweeping changes.
With the Supreme Court temporarily blocking rulings affecting the department’s funding freeze—complicatio ns are expected to continue as disputes over the legality of these terminations and program cuts make their way through the courts. Many observers see it as merely the beginning of what could be drawn-out legal battles likely to affect international aid and the effectiveness of U.S. diplomacy.
The disbanding of USAID and initiatives like Power Africa plays directly against efforts made for decades to stabilize regions through aid and development projects. The objectives once rooted deeply within the American framework of global leadership now hang by a thread, casting uncertainty over how these changes could affect long-term international relations.
While the Trump administration hastens to reshape the contours of American foreign policy and aid, the personal stories of those affected remain stark reminders of the human aspect often lost within bureaucratic reorganization. With many affected employees now left searching for new paths, the long-term impacts on global health, security, and infrastructure development remain to be seen.
Only time will tell how the void left by USAID’s dismantling will reshape the U.S.'s role on the global stage—and whether efforts to rebuild those ties can emerge from the remains of these lost initiatives.