Trump’s Foreign Aid Cuts Would Be ‘Catastrophic’

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#USAID—Bread
for the World today called budget cuts to foreign assistance
programs proposed by the Trump administration catastrophic. It urged
lawmakers to reject any proposals to gut development funding or merge
the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development.

“The Trump administration’s plan to gut foreign aid would have
catastrophic consequences world-wide,” said Rev. David Beckmann,
president of Bread for the World. “The proposed cuts would result in the
deaths of millions of people, especially children, from famine and
malnutrition. These cuts would roll back the tremendous progress we’ve
made against hunger.”

The Trump administration would cut foreign aid by more than one third,
according to the White House’s ‘skinny budget’ released in March and a
detailed State Department budget document obtained exclusively by Foreign
Policy.

The cuts would zero out or gut many key programs, like Feed the Future.
The administration is also considering plans to fold USAID into the
State Department, likely redefining its core mission. USAID currently
operates as a separate government agency.

U.S. foreign assistance has saved the lives of hundreds of millions of
people around the world. It has enabled countries to become more stable
and self-sufficient, creating new trading partners and allies. It has
also brought new farming techniques to regions experiencing climate
change; immunized tens of millions of children; and helped reduce
childhood stunting through proven nutritional interventions.

“While lawmakers and others from both sides of the aisle have spoken out
against many of the administration’s proposed cuts, it is our fear that
we will still see sizable reductions to development assistance
programs,” Beckmann said. “Any significant funding cuts Congress makes
to development programs will be devastating not only now, but also for
the future.”

The administration is proposing these cuts as the world is experiencing
the worst famine crisis in a decade. More than 20 million people in four
countries are at risk.

“Hunger and poverty provide fertile ground for terrorists and others who
would do us harm,” Beckmann added. “It would do the administration well
to look more closely into the important role U.S. foreign assistance
plays in our national security. This includes an independent USAID that
is focused, evidence-based and results oriented with strong technical
expertise and adequate resources.”

Contacts

Bread for the World
Chris Ford, 202-688-1077
cford@bread.org