Peace Corps, Underneath Evaluate by DOGE, Is Mentioned to Plan ‘Vital’ Workers Cuts

The pinnacle of a Peace Corps alumni group mentioned on Monday he had been knowledgeable that the company was planning to scale back the variety of full-time workers who help volunteers abroad.

The official, Dan Baker, president and chief govt of the Nationwide Peace Corps Affiliation, mentioned he had heard the information the identical day from Cheryl Faye, who’s the Peace Corps’ performing deputy chief govt. He mentioned he was informed that the cuts had been deliberate on the behest of Elon Musk’s cost-cutting workforce, the so-called Division of Authorities Effectivity, which has dismantled the U.S. Company for Worldwide Growth and different foreign-aid companies.

The Peace Corps confirmed in an announcement that the Musk workforce was assessing its operations and “working to establish further efficiencies in our staffing construction.”

“The company will stay operational and proceed to recruit, place, and practice volunteers, whereas persevering with to help their well being, security and safety, and efficient service,” the Peace Corps mentioned.

Mr. Baker mentioned he had been informed that the Peace Corps wouldn’t shut any places of work in overseas nations or cut back the numbers of volunteers it takes per yr. The company, which operates independently throughout the govt department, was based underneath President John F. Kennedy. It has about 3,000 volunteers who serve for 2 years in one in all 60 growing nations.

“The Peace Corps has acquired steerage that they’re not going to chop volunteers and nations, however the staffing affect goes to be considerably worrying for his or her operations,” Mr. Baker mentioned, recounting the dialog.

The Peace Corps has about 970 full-time American staff who recruit new volunteers and oversee their coaching, well being care and safety. Of these staff, about 790 work in america.

Mr. Baker mentioned he was not informed what number of of these jobs the Peace Corps meant to chop.

To start the reductions, Mr. Baker mentioned, the company on Monday supplied staff an opportunity to take “early retirement,” to be paid via the top of this yr. The company confirmed in its assertion that workers members had till Could 6 to use for the administration’s “deferred resignation” provide.