Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media, citing the occupation army: We tried to "eliminate" Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida
Al-Mashat: I call on everyone worldwide to avoid dealing with any assets of the entity, and there is still an opportunity for settlers to return to their countries
Al-Mashat: A final warning to all companies in the occupation entity to leave before it’s too late
The Israeli occupation army carries out a deadly airstrike on a populated residential building in the densely populated al-Rimal neighborhood, west of Gaza City, resulting in dozens of fatalities and injuries: Al Mayadeen's correspondent
Al-Mashat: We say to Gaza, we stand firm regarding our stance, no matter the sacrifices
Al-Mashat: We will meet challenge with challenge, and you will no longer have any sense of security
Al-Mashat: We say to the Zionists, our revenge is unyielding, and dark days await you
Al-Mashat: We will take revenge, and we will come out victorious from the depths of our wounds
Al-Mashat: Our people are capable of overcoming all difficulties and challenges, and the enemy will not be able to break our steadfastness, nor will we be intimidated by raids or terrified by threats
President of the Yemeni Supreme Political Council Mahdi al-Mashat: The Government of Change and Building will carry out its duties in a caretaker capacity, and the blood of the martyrs will serve as a motivation for steadfastness and reconstruction

USAID workers laid off while in Myanmar earthquake zone: Ex-official

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 6 Apr 2025 09:15
3 Min Read

The layoffs come amid the Trump administration’s broader rollback of foreign aid, which has hindered Myanmar's disaster response capabilities.

Listen
  • x
  • MyanmarRescue workers stand on the street next to a collapsed building in Mandalay on April 5, 2025, following the March 28 earthquake (AFP)

Three US aid workers were dismissed while on the ground in Myanmar, where they were assisting with rescue and recovery efforts following the country’s devastating earthquake, Reuters reported, citing a former senior staffer.

The layoffs come amid the Trump administration’s broader rollback of foreign aid, which has hindered Myanmar's disaster response capabilities.

Marcia Wong, a former deputy administrator at the US Agency for International Development (USAID), told Reuters that the three workers had traveled to Myanmar but were informed late this week that they would be laid off.

"This team is working incredibly hard, focussed on getting humanitarian aid to those in need. To get news of your imminent termination - how can that not be demoralising?" Wong said.

President Donald Trump's administration has pledged at least $9 million in aid to Myanmar after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which has claimed around 3,500 lives. However, sweeping budget cuts to USAID have impaired Washington’s response efforts, even as countries such as China, Russia, and India have mobilized quickly to deliver assistance.

Rain is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and creating additional challenges for relief operations in Myanmar, where state media reported on Sunday that the death toll from the earthquake has climbed to nearly 3,500.

Related News

Chicago mayor says no police aid for National Guard or federal agents

US bars Abbas, PA officials from UN summit, sparks EU backlash

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has moved to dismiss nearly all USAID personnel, with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency—tasked with reducing federal spending—terminating contracts and slashing funds across agencies, branding the effort as a crackdown on “wasteful spending”.

Wong noted that the three workers currently remain in the earthquake zone, sleeping outdoors due to aftershock fears and continued building instability, adding that their terminations are expected to take effect in a few months.

She said she learned of the layoffs through current USAID contacts following an all-staff meeting held on Friday. According to former USAID staff, most personnel who would have coordinated the US response to the earthquake have already been dismissed, and third-party implementing partners have also lost their contracts.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking Friday in Brussels, denied claims that Washington’s response to the March 28 earthquake was delayed due to USAID’s downsizing.

Rubio stated that Myanmar presents a particularly difficult operating environment, noting that the country’s military government “does not like the United States” and obstructs US operations. The United Nations has also accused the junta of restricting humanitarian aid access.

Rubio added that the United States will no longer serve as the world’s leading humanitarian donor, urging other wealthy nations to contribute more to Myanmar’s relief efforts.

Read more: ‘Hands off!’ protests sweep US against Trump, Musk

  • United States
  • USAID
  • US
  • Myanmar

Most Read

Fierce resistance ambushes target IOF in Gaza Strip

Fierce resistance ambushes target IOF in al-Zaytoun, Gaza City

  • Politics
  • 30 Aug 2025
Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks (Photo by Mahdi Rtail)

Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks

  • Politics
  • 26 Aug 2025
Although it does seem likely they will launch some kind of operation in northern Gaza, one which will accelerate its mass murder of civilians, but will fail to achieve its stated objectives. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Here is why the Israeli occupation of Gaza won’t work

  • Opinion
  • 26 Aug 2025
A scene showing an al-Qassam Brigades fighter during an ambush on July 7, 2025, in a video released by the al-Qassam Brigades on August 26, 2025 (al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

Al-Qassam reveals Beit Hanoun ambush targeting Israeli forces

  • Politics
  • 26 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The martyred Prime Minister Ahmad Ghaleb al Rahawi, in an undated photo, Yemen (social media)
Politics

Yemen mourns Prime Minister, ministers killed in Israeli aggression

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, greets Argentina's President Javier Milei in the Israelه parliament, in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Wednesday, June 11, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Human rights lawyers seek Netanyahu's arrest in Argentina

Radiographer Coralie Gil prepares to enter the room of a COVID-19 patient in the COVID-19 continued care unit at the la Timone hospital in Marseille, southern France, Friday, Dec. 24, 2021 (AP)
Health

French hospitals urged by MoH to prepare for war by March 2026

US Demoratic senators demand baby formula be sent to Gaza
US & Canada

US senators demand 'massive surge' of baby formula for Gaza infants

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS