Rumors spread that the US State Department is closing USAID offices abroad.

The U.S. State Department has reportedly ordered the closure of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) overseas offices and is in the process of recalling thousands of officials around the world, according to Reuters on February 5, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

This building houses USAID's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

ABC News was the first to report on the developments regarding USAID, as the administration of US President Donald Trump proceeded with merging USAID with the US State Department and officially dissolving the agency as an independent entity.

According to a source, Peter Marocco, whom Trump appointed to oversee USAID operations, informed State Department officials that all USAID staff and their families would be repatriated on February 7.

A second source says that the deadline may be postponed.

In a related development, USAID officials in various departments at headquarters in Washington were asked to take paid leave on the afternoon of February 4 (local time), according to Reuters, citing an internal memo signed by Mr. Marocco.

Reuters also quoted two USAID officials on paid leave as saying that each USAID department was asked to leave behind only a core team to help identify which programs needed to be discontinued.

Hundreds of USAID programs worth billions of dollars providing life-saving aid around the world have been halted after President Trump ordered a freeze on most U.S. foreign aid on January 20. The leader wanted to ensure that aid operations were consistent with his "America First" policy.

A report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) notes that USAID has a workforce of over 10,000 people, with approximately two-thirds working in overseas offices. USAID maintains missions in more than 60 countries and regions.

On February 3rd, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced to the press that he was now the acting Director of USAID, and later that afternoon sent a letter to the US Congress outlining a plan to restructure the agency. According to the plan, part of USAID would be merged into the State Department, and the remainder might be dissolved.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ro-tin-bo-ngoai-giao-my-dong-cac-van-phong-usaid-o-nuoc-ngoai-185250205090156854.htm