Talking Points on International Assistance-v3, February 2013

Talking Points on International Assistance, February 2013

The United States Catholic Church views poverty-focused international development and humanitarian assistance as a moral imperative that advances human dignity, global solidarity, and U.S. security. In a time of fiscal constraint the Church urges prioritizing life-saving programs for the poorest people and places, protecting those accounts from deep cuts, and restoring paused humanitarian funding for the Palestinian people.

Church’s position on international assistance

• Moral responsibility: International assistance is an ethical duty to help “the least of these,” not an optional luxury.
• Priority in austerity: Even with fiscal restraints, funding must prioritize the poorest people and the most effective, life-saving programs.
• Link to security: Reducing global poverty promotes stability and U.S. national security; fighting poverty builds peace.

What the Church brings

• Operational experience: Catholic agencies (notably Catholic Relief Services) operate extensively worldwide and implement effective programs.
• Global relationships: Strong ties with local Churches in developing countries provide on-the-ground perspective and guidance.
• Moral framework: Catholic Social Teaching supplies principles for setting budget priorities that protect the vulnerable.

Current funding and risks

• FY2012 baseline: About $19.1 billion supported poverty-focused development and humanitarian accounts (roughly 0.6% of the federal budget).
• Misconception addressed: These programs are a small share of the federal budget yet save lives and promote stability.
• Threats: Congressional deficit pressure and sequestration could cut priority accounts (sequestration estimated to reduce these accounts by ~5%), which the Church says would cost lives and deepen global inequalities.

Efficiency, partnerships, and conflict prevention

• Program improvement: U.S. assistance should keep improving efficiency, accountability, and transparency.
• Local and faith partnerships: Greater emphasis on partnering with local civil society and faith-based groups yields low-cost, sustainable results and helps hold governments accountable.
• Conflict prevention: Poverty-focused assistance and peacebuilding lower the risk of violence and reduce the need for larger emergency responses; peacekeeping and institution-building are essential.

Urgent asks to Congress

1. Preserve and strengthen funding for poverty-focused development and humanitarian accounts in FY2013 and FY2014 and avoid balancing budgets on the backs of the poorest abroad.
2. Release the hold on FY2012 Palestinian assistance (about $500 million on hold) so humanitarian programs, youth nonviolence training, employment, and trauma services can continue and support a viable two-state future.

2013-02-International-Assistance-Talking-Points-and-Chart-FINAL.pdf