Refugees International Joins More Than 50 Organizations Opposed to Proposed Cuts to Foreign Assistance in Central America

Refugees International and over 50 other organizations issued a statement condemning announced plans by the Trump administration to end foreign assistance programs in the Central American countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras:

By cutting off poverty-alleviating and violence-reducing assistance to the people and civil society organizations of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, the Trump Administration is taking a step that undermines its own policy goals and runs counter to American values and interests. For years, leaders from both parties have supported U.S. development and humanitarian aid to Central America. That is because these relatively small investments address the grinding poverty, instability and human rights concerns at the root of displacement. The current levels of violence and suffering in the Northern Triangle of Central America risk severe further deterioration if development and humanitarian assistance is withdrawn.

Sadly, the unpredictability and volatility that stem from such chaotic policy decisions can erode the effectiveness of foreign assistance. The Administration frequently views U.S. foreign assistance only in transactional terms and not as part of a long-term strategy.

In response to this short-sighted and irresponsible decision, we urge Congress to demonstrate strong bipartisan support for aid to Central America.

Organizations Signed On (As of 4/1/2019):

1,000 Days

Action Against Hunger

Alliance for Peacebuilding

Alliance to End Hunger

American Jewish World Service (AJWS)

American Relief Agency for the Horn of Africa (ARAHA)

Americares

Association of Volunteers in International Service, USA (AVSI USA)

Bethany Christian Services

Bread for the World

Brother’s Brother Foundation

Cadasta Foundation

CARE USA

Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE)

Child Aid

ChildFund International

Church World Service

Concern Worldwide U.S.

Global Communities

Global Health Council

Global Water 2020

Heartland Alliance International

Heifer International

Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD)

HIAS

Humentum

iMMAP Inc.

Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs

International Relief Teams

International Rescue Committee (IRC)

IntraHealth International

Islamic Relief USA

Jesuit Refugee Service/USA

Keystone Human Services

Lutheran World Relief

Mennonite Central Committee U.S.

Mercy Corps

Mercy Without Limits

National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International

Norwegian Refugee Council

Notre Dame Initiative for Global Development (NDIGD)

ONE

Oxfam America

Plan International USA

Planet Aid

Project Concern International (PCI)

Refugees International

RESULTS

ReSurge International

Save the Children

Solar Cookers International

Solidarity Center

SPOON

The Hunger Project

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants

United Methodist Committee on Relief

WaterAid America

Women’s Refugee Commission

World Vision