More than a year after the Trump administration began dismantling U.S. foreign aid programs, violence and suffering are on the rise around the globe.
In recent weeks, new reports are painting a clearer picture of the cascading consequences.
Violence on the Rise
Among the many programs cut by the administration were peacebuilding programs that address root causes of conflicts.
Now, we are already seeing a rise in instability and violence. A new study in the journal Science found that the dismantling of USAID has fueled conflict across Africa.
“These are often double-digit percentage increases in the incidence, severity, and lethality of violence across Africa in the affected regions,” one of the authors explained.
Humanitarian Catastrophe
Along with funding cuts for peace, the administration’s warmaking is also compounding suffering around the globe.
As the New York Times reported, “catastrophe is emerging in the world’s most vulnerable places” because of aid cuts and soaring food and fuel prices caused by the war on Iran.
On top of rising hunger, disease is spreading. According to experts, U.S. aid cuts have contributed to the rapid spread of Ebola in Congo and Uganda, slowing the detection and response to the deadly outbreak.
An Immoral Foreign Policy Approach
The Trump administration’s callous approach to aid is exemplified by its treatment of Zambia. They are threatening to cut off HIV treatment that millions rely on unless the Zambian government hands over valuable mineral resources to the U.S.
“This agreement would be extortion, not foreign policy,” as advocate Raquel Dominguez wrote.
Funding choices made in Washington are not abstract policy decisions.
The funding bills Congress passes for the next fiscal year could be the difference between whether a child lives or dies. Whether a hungry family starves or is fed. Whether a sick person suffers or is healed. Whether a war is started or prevented.
As they make those choices, our lawmakers have a basic moral responsibility to ensure our country’s policies reduce suffering around the world – not increase it.
Elsewhere
Movement toward peace with Iran
Iran and the United States have continued to exchange proposals to move beyond a temporary ceasefire. Although nothing has been agreed to, the existence of continued negotiation is positive.
At the same time, Congress is starting to move forward on War Powers Resolutions to demand a withdrawal of U.S. forces. The Senate cleared a vital procedural hurdle by a vote of 50-47 and the House went into recess before voting on a WPR that would have succeeded. As FCNL’s Hassan El-Tayyab spelled out for us, now is the time to keep up the pressure and change the political calculus of continuing this war.
Funding for ICE and border patrol hits a snag
Yesterday, the Senate unexpectedly went into recess rather than passing a bill that would give $70 billion more for ICE and Border Patrol’s cruel and unaccountable immigration enforcement. But the debate isn’t over. Congress will return in June with another attempt to pour more money into ICE and Border Patrol without any new accountability measures or guardrails.
This is a sign that our advocacy is working. Contact your members of Congress today to end this spending bill.
What can we learn from the past 250 years?
Continuing Revolution is a hybrid weekend workshop (from June 26-28) which gives young adults opportunities to connect, learn skills for community resistance, and deepen their personal spiritual practices.
This year we will reflect on the past 250 years of the United States. What could our future look like in 250 years? How can we build the skills and deepen our spiritual practices to build community and resist oppressive systems?
What are data centers doing to our communities?
FCNL’s Paul Aversa reflected in The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists on the impact of data centers on his home in Virginia. He points out the negative impact they have on air quality, their water use, and the noise that can’t be blocked out. With these facilities rapidly spreading in the age of AI, Paul makes a strong case that people harmed must be heard in data center decisions.
