Advocacy Letter to the Editor

To the editor:

I write to give a voice to the voiceless poor around the world whose lives are threatened not only by decisions the U.S. Congress is poised to make on America's international foreign aid budget, but by recent increases in world food prices.

This isn't a question of charity; it's an issue of life or death for millions of people—especially women and girls who produce most of the world's food but suffer the greatest hunger and poverty and derive the fewest benefits.

America's international affairs budget is a critical component of feeding millions of families who daily suffer hunger and poverty and ongoing efforts that target disease, hunger, poverty, climate change and programs that help build sustainable futures for all. It's also a critical component of national and global security, which become very unsettled with a potential rise in famine and disease.

At risk in these cuts is USAID's forward-thinking anti-hunger and poverty program Feed the Future, which aims to bolster poor countries' food production capabilities. Failing to fund these programs thoughtfully and responsibly threatens not only the health and welfare of hundreds of millions of families; it threatens the security of individuals and the world.

America faces an unparalleled budget deficit and it's clear that Congress must scrutinize spending in every department at every level. But it's critical that human health and progress not be sacrificed by shortsighted cuts to an international affairs budget that provides life-saving results with low-investment interventions.

I implore Congress—and others to join in this effort—in its deliberations to consider the costs of its actions on the world's most vulnerable populations—the poor, the hungry—left hopeless without the kind of help provided by these essential funds.

Sincerely,