WASHINGTON, March 29 — United States (US) President Donald Trump’s administration is taking steps to formally dissolve the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and eliminate its remaining positions, Xinhua reported.
Both the State Department and USAID notified the US Congress on Friday of their intent to reorganise, which will involve realigning certain USAID functions with the State Department by July 1.
The State Department has announced that the remaining USAID functions which do not align with the administration’s priorities will be discontinued.
“Foreign assistance done right can advance our national interests, protect our borders, and strengthen our partnerships with key allies. Unfortunately, USAID strayed from its original mission long ago
“We are reorienting our foreign assistance programmes to align directly with what is best for the United States and our citizens.
“We are continuing essential lifesaving programmes and making strategic investments that strengthen our partners and our own country,” said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement.
A memo sent to USAID employees on Friday informed them that all positions not required by law would be eliminated.
USAID has maintained disaster response teams despite the reorganisation, as seen in the US response to a devastating earthquake in Myanmar.
On Friday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that USAID remains on standby to offer immediate assistance, including food and safe drinking water needed to save lives in the aftermath of a disaster.
“The United States is evaluating the need for assistance based on requests and dynamic reporting,” she told a press briefing.
— Bernama
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