Employees of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) recently shared their harrowing experiences during their evacuation from the Democratic Republic of Congo following orders to return to the US. The chaotic departures from Kinshasa were marked by violent protests in the capital city, exacerbated by the Trump administration's decision to end certain foreign assistance programs and place Washington leadership on leave, causing internal disarray and a lack of guidance for staff.
The State Department directed non-emergency US government personnel and their families to leave the DRC due to escalating violence in late January. The US Embassy in Kinshasa advised citizens to shelter-in-place amidst protests and urged them to depart safely while commercial options were available.
