Tell Congress: Protect foreign aid

The effects of Hurricane Eta on rural areas of Guatemala were severe, causing damage to homes, farms and crops, and forcing communities to shelter in camps with very close quarters. Mercy Corps responded with distributions of food and family hygiene kits.

Today, we face enormous global challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to reverse decades of progress in developing countries across the world. For the first time in twenty years, extreme poverty is expected to rise. Hunger is also increasing – in 2020, the World Food Programme saw an 82% increase in food insecurity compared to pre-COVID levels. Congress must work together with the new Administration to restore U.S. global leadership and to help alleviate suffering of the world’s most vulnerable.

The pandemic has hit amidst existing challenges that threaten the well-being of the world’s most vulnerable. Protracted conflict continues to drive families from their homes in search of peace. Gone unchecked, climate change is fueling increasingly severe and frequent disasters. Programs funded by the U.S. government can help reverse some of these troubling trends, but we must invest in solutions now.

Urge your representative to robustly fund foreign aid.

Here is the letter we’ll send to Congress on your behalf:

Dear Member of Congress,

As your constituent, I am writing today to urge you to support robust funding for the International Affairs budget for Fiscal Year 2022.

The International Affairs budget is an important bipartisan demonstration of America values and leadership abroad. Investments in the International Disaster Assistance at $5.3 billion and Migration and Refugee Assistance at $4.1 billion will provide lifesaving assistance to communities living through humanitarian crises. Funding the Development Assistance account at $4.2 billion and the Economic Support Fund at $4 billion will relieve human suffering in some of the most violent places in the world and help families adapt to a rapidly changing climate. With over 820 million hungry people in the world and nearly 80 million people on the run from their homes, we cannot afford to cut these important investments in global stability and prosperity.

For years, business leaders, military commanders and faith leaders have spoken out in support of foreign assistance because they know that investments overseas are investments in a safer, healthier and more prosperous America. Just last year, retired Admiral James Stavridis and retired General Tony Zinni said, “No matter how successful we are in fighting the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic at home, we will never stop it unless we are also fighting it around the world.”

I urge you to ensure that the International Affairs budget is fully funded in Fiscal Year 2022.

Sincerely,

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