In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. U.S. foreign assistance is some of the most compassionate work we do. It may also be some of the most misunderstood.
Faith communities and faith-based organizations work hand-in-hand with critical U.S. government leadership, funds and influence, helping make foreign assistance a life-saving, unprecedented success. Consider: Now every year, millions of children thrive beyond their 5th birthdays when just 25 years ago, they would have died. In 2015 alone, 6.8 million more children under age 5 survived than would have in 1990. There's so much more...
Each of these massive statistics is also a face, heart and soul; a mother or father, sister or brother. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. [Matthew 25:40] No doubt today's headlines are disturbing, but we must not lose sight of this important FACT: Children, families, communities and whole countries are thriving as never before. Whether better nutrition and food security, improved farming techniques and agricultural productivity, access to safe water and sanitation, fighting sexual exploitation and slavery, girls attending school, maternal and child health, good governance and more – human security is not possible without US…United States-led foreign assistance. And our national security is not possible without human security. |
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Despite success, clearly the world is still in need. Dynamic global challenges and unprecedented demand mean the need for farsighted, U.S. foreign policy leadership is at an all-time high. More than 65 million people are displaced around the world — the highest number ever; multiple severe and large-scale global emergencies threaten security; pandemics know no borders; and we don't know where the next natural disaster may strike.
The new U.S. administration will need all foreign policy tools at its disposal to keep America safe and strong. That includes robust foreign assistance. At a cost of less than 1% of the federal budget, foreign assistance compassionately and cost-effectively safeguards our health by keeping diseases beyond our borders; exerts peacemaking and stabilizing influence especially during unstable times; creates future trade partners; and counters terrorist rhetoric and recruitment. |
US. foreign assistance success is results-driven, grounded in data, and evidence-based. Results are life-saving and long-term, benefiting millions of people, including Americans. Click on any state in this interactive map to learn how U.S. foreign policy makes an impact on jobs, education and partnerships where you live.
WITH PROPHETIC URGENCY, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AMERICAN FAITH COMMUNITY OFFER 4 PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATION:
- BASE POLICY AND FUNDING DECISIONS ON FACTS, NOT MYTHS
- PARTNER WITH FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
- ADDRESS KEY FUNDING INSECURITIES
- PRIORITIZE BUILDING IN-COUNTRY CAPACITY AND LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY
Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. [1 John 3:18]
1. WE CALL UPON LEADERS TO BASE POLICY AND FUNDING DECISIONS ON THE FACTS OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE, AND NOT RELY ON TIME-WORN MYTHS As the new Administration and 115th Congress discern priorities and budget concerns, America can remain a leader among nations only by living into our American and faith values that honor human dignity regardless of race, creed, gender or religion. U.S. foreign assistance does that compassionately, efficiently and cost-effectively. We must protect unprecedented gains so we can continue to usher in safer and more secure days for all. Here are the Top 10 FACTS everyone should understand about foreign assistance. |
2. PROMOTE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS [FBOs], HERE'S WHY:
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3. ADDRESS KEY FUNDING INSECURITIES THAT CAN UNDERCUT AND ROLLBACK SUCCESS
Foreign assistance’s core budget has decreased 22% since 2011. Now more than 50% of humanitarian projects and programs are funded with money designated for emergencies, called the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) account. Erosion of the core budget puts important programs in jeopardy. Stabilizing funding for programs is vital to accurately budget for planning and efficiency, for continuity of success, and to support for U.S. global interests. Overall, the White House and Congress need to agree on a broad budget deal that allows for sufficient foreign assistance resources that do not resort to emergency mechanisms that are not sustainable long term. |
4. PRIORITIZE BUILDING IN-COUNTRY CAPACITY AND LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY BY FUNDING GLOBAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENT AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AT CURRENT OR HIGHER LEVELS Global Health: USAID and Department of State Global Health Programs work together toward key goals like ending preventable child and maternal deaths, creating an AIDS-free generation, protecting communities from infectious diseases. Prevention is the key. This year, almost 6 million children and 300,000 women will die primarily from preventable causes.
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Development Assistance: Broad-scale human security and economic progress fosters and strengthens economic growth and democratic governance that lifts millions out of extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition for the long term. With increased focus on beneficiary engagement and local commitment, development assistance increases stability, turns aid to trade, and make countries more open, peaceful and flourishing partners with the U.S. The inverse is also true: the lack of basics for life, like food and water, decreases human security and productivity and increases dependence.
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Humanitarian Aid: The U.S. government plays a key coordinating and leadership role when it comes to effective response during disasters, both natural and manmade. Humanitarian aid also contributes to conflict prevention and stabilizing emerging democratic processes at times of critical transition in fragile states, by quickly responding to urgent and unanticipated events. Humanitarian aid is crucial intervention where desperation resides.
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