[Press Release] Federal Budget Request: President's Request Focuses on Some Issues of Foreign Aid, Ignores Others

from Interaction

Washington, D.C., -- President Bush's budget request for FY 2008 includes a laudable boost for the overall International Affairs account, including large increases for Presidential initiatives - those focusing on HIV/AIDS and malaria as well as the Millennium Challenge Account.

While InterAction - the largest coalition of U.S.-based humanitarian and development organizations working overseas - applauds the President's overall 150 account increase and his commitment to his initiatives, we regret that the substantial increases for Presidential initiatives are not accompanied by similar increases for traditional foreign assistance programs that serve as the backbone of U.S. humanitarian and development assistance. The fight against diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria cannot succeed if basic health needs are not met, if children - especially girls - do not receive an adequate education, and if those forced to flee their homes from conflict are not provided for.

President Bush's recent State of the Union address to the nation highlighted America's role in fighting global diseases and poverty in developing nations. Yet his requests for funding for child and maternal health, disaster assistance, and refugee assistance have fallen or remained flat since last year, and his basic education request, while commendably increased, comes predominantly in an account where it is historically more vulnerable to diversion to other, more short-term diplomatic or strategic goals.

President Bush has repeatedly said that initiatives such as PEPFAR and the MCA are designed to be additions to core humanitarian assistance, not substitutes, and we urge the President and the Congress to uphold that principle. The fight against global poverty and disease can only be won through a comprehensive approach that addresses both the causes and the symptoms of poverty. We applaud the President's request for an International Affairs account increase overall. We are committed to working with the Congress to match or exceed that increase and to ensure in the process that humanitarian assistance accounts and Presidential initiatives are funded robustly across-the-board, at a level consistent with the dire global need and with America's leadership role as a trusted global partner.

InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. Our 165 members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life.