WASHINGTON (March 23, 2018) – The global poverty-fighting organization CARE applauds Congress today for passing the final FY18 spending bill (called the Omnibus), demonstrating an important commitment to U.S. foreign assistance programs at a time in our history when it is needed most. Specifically, the final FY18 spending bill provides $55.9B in funding for foreign assistance programs that combat poverty and save lives around the globe.
“CARE is very encouraged by the bipartisan commitment to U.S. foreign assistance funding in the FY18 Omnibus,” said Michelle Nunn, president and CEO of CARE. “We especially want to thank Sens. Graham and Leahy and Reps. Rogers and Lowey for their leadership during this critical time. As we move on now to the FY19 budget, we hope to see even more robust funding for foreign assistance to help address the unprecedented humanitarian challenges we face today and the largest number of refugees in our history. When we lead, the world benefits and millions of lives are saved as a result.”
In addition to the overall funding to foreign assistance, the final FY18 spending bill provides funding for critical, lifesaving accounts, including:
- $4.3B in International Disaster Assistance (IDA), which is critical to saving lives, particularly as the world faces growing humanitarian need;
- $3B in development assistance, which provides sustainable solutions to combating poverty;
- Critical funding for women’s empowerment programs that combat child marriage and gender-based violence; and
- Sustained funding for global health programs, including important interventions for nutrition, HIV, malaria and the healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies.
The leadership demonstrated by Congress today encapsulates our true American values and the legacy of bipartisan leadership CARE has witnessed over the past seven decades. CARE urges Congress to be fully engaged in their oversight authorities and to protect these critical accounts in the FY19 budget. Foreign assistance represents roughly one percent of the federal budget, yet it saves millions of lives every year, benefits our own national security and addresses the root causes of poverty.
ABOUT CARE
Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor girls and women because, equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. Last year, CARE worked in 94 countries and reached more than 80 million people around the world. To learn more, please visit www.care.org.
Media Contacts
Nicole Ellis, +1-202-560-1791, nicole.ellis@care.org