The Trump administration’s immediate moves to close the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have left many employees in Cyprus and elsewhere around the world facing uncertainty about their future. As the changes take effect, USAID employees stationed in Cyprus are among those placed on administrative leave and asked to relocate immediately.
The policy change, part of a broader restructuring initiated by the Trump administration, has caused uproar among the agency's global workforce, which responded by filing a lawsuit against the government.
In Cyprus, where USAID has supported various initiatives, workers, American media reports, are caught in the middle of events. Many of them also emphasize “the financial burden that their return to the United States will have.”
According to USAID sources, who spoke to the American press, the cost of repatriating approximately 2.000 employees and their families worldwide could exceed $20 million.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio took over as interim head of USAID, with plans to integrate it into the State Department. USAID's Washington headquarters was closed, and the majority of employees were placed on administrative leave. Employees abroad were asked to return to the US within 30 days.
The Center for Global Development (CGD) in the US reports that “as the Trump administration imposes a “freeze” on USAID funding and recalls thousands of employees, concerns are growing about the impact on countries that rely heavily on American foreign aid.”
Although Cyprus has a long history of cooperation with USAID and is not among the most vulnerable countries, CGD says, the impact of the funding cut is expected to affect stability and development in the wider region. Experts are calling on donors – such as Germany, Canada and Japan – to fill the gap left by the United States to prevent further destabilization.
Countries such as Afghanistan, Sudan and Uganda risk losing over 20% of their foreign aid, much of which is directed to critical areas such as emergency response, health and governance.
Germany and Sweden have already taken on a key role in supporting fragile states such as Liberia and Somalia. “Germany stands out as the largest donor to six of the eight most exposed low-income countries,” the CGD notes, adding that Sweden also plays a significant role in development aid.
Canada, Japan and Spain are in a position to increase their contributions, while China and the United Arab Emirates could expand their commitment to development in Africa and the Middle East.
Source: KYPE
