The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced that all its direct-hire personnel will be put on administrative leave worldwide. The decision comes after President Donald Trump’s orders to merge the agency with the State Department come into force. In a statement on its website, the agency said it was currently putting together a plan, alongside the State Department, to recall USAID personnel stationed abroad within 30 days. It said that essential personnel expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership by Thursday. According to figures from the Congressional Research Service, USAID has a workforce of over 10,000, with some two-thirds serving overseas in more than 60 country and regional missions.