WASHINGTON (Oct. 24, 2018) – In response to the Trump administration’s statements on the migrant caravan, CARE calls on America’s leaders to reaffirm our nation’s long-standing respect for humanitarian principles and solidarity with people seeking a dignified life free of violence and full of opportunity.
CARE strongly opposes any politically motivated effort to withdraw humanitarian aid. U.S. foreign assistance supports global peace, security and development, and provides humanitarian relief during times of crisis. It is both the right thing to do and the smart thing to do. The U.S. should work with other governments and local organizations to tackle the forces driving people from their homes in the first place and, in the meantime, lead by example in providing humanitarian assistance to refugees. These are people who, in the face of unspeakable violence, including rape and gender-based violence, gang recruitment and lack of opportunity, have made very difficult decisions to leave their homes for a chance to live with dignity and security.
“CARE was founded on the principle that America and the world are better and stronger when we lift up people in their darkest hours,” said Michelle Nunn, president and CEO of CARE. “By canceling humanitarian aid to Central America, the U.S. government would undermine the work we have done to fight poverty in the region and create a situation that will drive more people to migrate, not fewer.”
These challenges will not be solved by cutting off funds to NGOs, community groups and faith-based organizations working tirelessly to improve their communities. Rather than giving up in the face of violence, corruption and other challenges around the world, the U.S. has helped slash global poverty rates over the past two decades, with U.S. foreign assistance leading the way. Now is not the time for the U.S. to back away from that humanitarian leadership, which has served America and the world so well.
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 Contact
Nicole Ellis, +1-202-560-1791, nicole.ellis@care.org; Ari Goldberg, ari.goldberg@care.org, +1-240-678-9102