The Trump administration has ignited controversy by dismissing dozens of USAID humanitarian aid specialists despite Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s January pledge to protect emergency relief operations. Over 60 Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) employees received termination notices this weekend – some containing critical errors like missing names – as the agency faces systemic restructuring.
Serena Simeoli, a 15-year BHA veteran, revealed her team managed responses to:
- 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquakes
- 2024 Caribbean hurricane season
- Ongoing Middle East conflict zones
Without our coordination, Simeoli warned,
the U.S. will struggle to lead global disaster responses. We prevented cholera outbreaks in Haiti and starvation in Ukraine – who fills that void now?
Internal documents show Rubio’s emergency waiver for continuing humanitarian aid programs explicitly states the reprieve is temporary. Former Marine and BHA responder John T. (name withheld) criticized the move: This isn’t bureaucracy – it’s dismantling America’s ability to prevent mass casualties during crises.
With BHA historically coordinating 78% of U.S. disaster relief partnerships with military units, experts warn the staff cuts could delay responses by 48-72 hours during future catastrophes. The State Department has not clarified how remaining personnel will maintain operations previously handled by terminated specialists.