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
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

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

UK, NATO plotting sabotage of Russian oil tankers, says SVR

Clashes erupt in Deir Hafer between SDF, Syrian army factions

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

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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