Policy & Advocacy
Catholic Social Ministry Gathering Hill Notes for Foreign Assistance and Afghanistan, February 2010
Hill Notes for Foreign Assistance in Afghanistan
The Church views U.S. foreign assistance as a moral and strategic imperative: it promotes human dignity, solidarity with poorer nations, and global security. Catholic organizations bring deep field experience and a moral framework—defense of life and dignity, subsidiarity, option for the poor, and building peace through justice—that grounds their policy guidance.
Current funding and the big picture
- In 2009 the U.S. spent about $17.5 billion on poverty‑focused assistance programs; FY2010 rose slightly to $17.59 billion.
- The Church calls for a coherent global strategy linking development, debt relief, trade, agriculture, climate, and other policies to advance human development and reduce poverty.
- Development is one of the three Ds (development, diplomacy, defense) and is critical to U.S. leadership and long‑term security.
Afghanistan assessment
- Since 2001 almost $38 billion has gone to Afghanistan, but more than half funded security programs and only 32% funded development and humanitarian assistance.
- Much development funding is administered by the U.S. military (57%), which prioritizes short‑term, security‑driven goals and lacks the continuity and local trust civilian actors provide.
- Military‑run development can undermine credibility and fuel local suspicion of foreign presence.
Roles of military and civilian actors
- Military: provide proportionate, discriminate security operations; protect civilians; phase out combat role as stability returns.
- Civilian organizations (e.g., CRS): lead long‑term, poverty‑focused development, build local partnerships, and sustain programs through continuity and community trust.
- Civilian channels are better suited for agriculture, education, water, women’s livelihoods, and other development priorities.
Policy recommendations
A. Strengthen and expand poverty‑focused programs, moving toward political goals (e.g., doubling assistance):
- Prioritize HIV/AIDS (PEPFAR), development and humanitarian aid (including food aid), Millennium Challenge Account, debt relief, peacekeeping, and migration/refugee assistance.
B. Rebalance assistance in Afghanistan:
- Support a “responsible transition” and withdrawal consistent with reducing loss of life and stabilizing the country.
- Channel most development aid through civilian agencies and local community projects; separate civilian assistance clearly from military operations.
- Emphasize governance, human rights, reconstruction, refugee/humanitarian needs, and addressing root causes of terrorism.
Moral rationale
Foreign assistance is a duty to “the least of these,” an expression of national values and leadership, and a strategic investment in global stability that complements diplomacy and defense.