Officials for the agency were notified of the planned cuts on the same day they learned that about 800 awards and contracts administered through U.S.A.I.D. were being canceled, three people said.

USAID programs include things like vaccination initiatives, which can help prevent the spread of diseases, but critics claim the spending is wasteful.

Formed in 1961, the agency with a roughly $40 billion budget provides humanitarian assistance abroad and funds other projects to further U.S. interests.

In its first two weeks, President Donald Trump’s administration has made significant changes to the U.S. Agency for International Development

President Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk have launched a full-frontal assault on the United States Agency for International Development. Pending a review, he’s ordered a pause to all US foreign aid — with some exceptions — and Musk has threatened to shut down the independent government agency entirely,