Letter to the editor: Foreign assistance works

Every year, the United States saves millions of lives and helps create a better, safer world for everyone — and we do it for a mere fraction of our federal budget.

Development and humanitarian assistance make up less than 1% of the budget but support programs and policies that improve the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. These are programs that fight HIV/AIDS, ensure children don’t die from preventable diseases, advance educational opportunities for women and girls, promote job opportunities and economic growth, and more.

We know foreign assistance works. Thanks in large part to U.S. contributions, more than 1 billion fewer people are living in extreme poverty today than were in 1990. This progress is incredible — we must ensure it is lasting. Disruptions caused by the covid-19 pandemic, increasing conflicts around the world, and the continued impacts of the climate crisis have sparked the first increase in people living in extreme poverty in decades.

Earlier this month, I met with U.S. Rep. Summer Lee and Sens. John Fetterman and Bob Casey in Washington to ask them to maintain this critical American legacy by supporting at least $61.7 billion in the fiscal year 2025 State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill, including no less than $4.4 billion specifically for development assistance. Investment in foreign assistance is not only the right thing to do; it is also in our country’s best interest to create a safer and more stable environment for all.

Karla Doolittle

Bloomfield