WASHINGTON — Recent court rulings have only marginally impacted the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), leaving many of its employees abroad in distressing conditions, according to claims from staff members.
Reports indicate that medical evacuations have been put on hold for approximately 25 USAID employees and their spouses who are nearing the end of high-risk pregnancies while stationed overseas. This information emerged from testimonies in ongoing lawsuits, emphasized by a person familiar with the surrounding circumstances who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the cases.
In a legal document filed Thursday, USAID’s Deputy Administrator, Pete Marocco, asserted that the agency will take all necessary steps to guarantee the safety of its employees. He is seeking judicial approval to implement a plan that would significantly reduce the number of employees on duty around the globe.
The administration maintains that it is fulfilling its obligations to protect workers, despite actively reducing USAID programs and planning to withdraw thousands of workers and their families currently stationed abroad.
Numerous lawsuits filed by organizations standing up for USAID workers, nonprofits, and businesses are challenging President Trump’s freeze on foreign aid, along with proposed budget cuts and abrupt discontinuation of services. Current judicial decisions have temporarily halted funding cuts and the firing of many employees, while a ruling is expected soon regarding the freezing of staffing reductions. The administration has criticized USAID programs, labeling them as inefficient and aligned with a liberal agenda.
Concerns amid unstable conditions
American women in the field, along with their partners, are particularly anxious about their medical care in politically unstable regions, expressing fears for their health and safety during this vulnerable time.
One USAID employee, whose complicated pregnancy is exacerbated by high blood pressure, shared in a court filing, “Everyone tells me to wait and see what happens.” Concerns have been raised about her impending due date, as she fears that a failure to secure favorable medical evacuation could put her life at risk.
In another troubling account, the spouse of a USAID worker detailed a harrowing situation in which his partner experienced severe complications and required urgent care, awaiting medical evacuation approval. A U.S. senator managed to intervene and facilitate the government’s support for the evacuation, but medical professionals indicated that the timing might still jeopardize the woman’s health due to the risks associated with travel late in her pregnancy.
The State Department has not responded to inquiries regarding allegations that the government is deliberately delaying or denying medical evacuation requests.
Ongoing worker uncertainty
The decision by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols on whether to continue blocking a Trump administration directive that would place numerous USAID employees on leave is pending. If lifted, this could initiate a 30-day countdown for these employees to depart their positions.
Judge Nichols commented on the chaotic nature of the administration’s handling of USAID staffing cuts during a recent hearing. Legal representatives for the employees shared testimonies indicating that the administration had left workers in limbo, particularly during a political uprising in Congo that necessitated evacuation.
Limited support has led some evacuated employees to bear significant financial burdens, incurring hotel costs without any clear guidance or support regarding their future employment status. Evacuated workers reported minimal assistance from USAID, which amounted to just a few meals and a chance to peruse clothing donations, while some incurred tens of thousands of dollars in hotel expenses.
Current conditions for USAID workers abroad are reportedly chaotic, marked by a lack of governmental guidance and numerous logistical headaches, including overdue electricity payments and fears related to housing stability. The apprehension regarding their legal rights is prevalent as they express worries about potential repercussions should they remain beyond the extended 30-day deadline imposed by Nichols’ previous ruling.
Numerous workers have also mentioned disruptions in communication with U.S. government agencies, citing that emergency alert systems designed to notify the government in instances of threats to safety have been rendered inactive.
Critical programs facing disruptions
Both current and former USAID officials have raised alarms about how the funding freeze and personnel reductions have stalled essential and life-saving initiatives on a global scale, regardless of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s attempts to authorize waivers.
One significant casualty of this situation includes the longstanding AIDS and HIV initiative known as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has reportedly saved over 20 million lives in Africa. Furthermore, the disruption has also hampered responses to urgent health crises such as recent Ebola outbreaks in Uganda.
Former USAID officials noted that staff cuts have diminished the capacity of U.S. disaster response teams tasked with handling natural disasters and other emergencies worldwide.
Despite assertions from key officials that waivers are in place to continue programs like PEPFAR, agency staffers have contested these claims, noting that essential funding has not been successfully transmitted. The payment systems for USAID have experienced significant disruptions amidst the ongoing suspension, exacerbating delays in resource allocation.
