Watch the recording of "Responding to the Foreign Aid Freeze" Feb. 20, 2025.
Since the new Administration imposed a spending freeze and stop-work order on almost all U.S. foreign aid, Maryknoll missioners working with and alongside many U.S.-funded NGOs around the world tell us that everything has stopped. The lives of millions of sick, hungry, and vulnerable people are at risk.
Funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)—which, at roughly $40 billion, accounts for less than 1 percent of the federal budget but helps millions of vulnerable people around the world—was paused for 90 days on all but a very narrow set of programs, mostly involving life-threatening hunger or medical emergencies. But we’re hearing that funding for even those programs has been caught in red tape as the thousands of USAID employees have been fired or put on administrative leave.
Some elected leaders have criticized foreign aid, especially programs led by USAID (the U.S. Agency for International Development), saying it is wasteful and doesn’t benefit people in the United States.
Click here to join our webinar on Feb. 20 at 3pm ET to learn:
- What does Catholic Social Teaching have to say about foreign aid?
- What priorities and reforms does the Maryknoll OGC recommend for U.S. foreign aid?
- What is Maryknoll OGC’s view of the dismantling of USAID?
- What can U.S. Catholics do in response to the dismantling of USAID?
Additionally, our friends at Catholic Relief Service offer two ways you can take action today:
- Tell Congress the Administration should resume humanitarian assistance programs while under review: https://support.crs.org/act/foreign-aid-operations
- Sign up for join in-district meetings with your member of Congress to speak directly about the impact of foreign assistance on human life and dignity. CRS provides full training and support for these visits: https://support.crs.org/form/register-congressional-visit