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Pennies on the dollar, saving millions of lives
Over the past 25 years, the U.S. has forged historic collaboration between the world’s governments, multilateral institutions and local communities; and of course the private sector -- diverse allies ranging from nongovernmental organizations, civic groups, faith and business communities, universities and philanthropies. Along the way, Congress has maintained strong bipartisan cooperation with multiple Administrations on foreign assistance.
This work has cut in half the annual number of deaths of children under five from 1990 ‐ 2015.
Fewer deaths and fewer illnesses: Ten million people are walking today who otherwise would be crippled by polio, thanks to the global polio eradication program led by a stellar public‐private team: USG, UNICEF, WHO, Rotary, the Gates Foundation. The world is on the verge of eradicating polio and Guinea Worm; and smallpox is gone for good. Some say HIV/AIDS could be next!
This work has cut in half the annual number of deaths of children under five from 1990 ‐ 2015.
- 6.4 million fewer children died before their fifth birthday in 2015 than in 1990.
- in 2015, the annual deaths from preventable diseases fell dramatically, for example:
- Pneumonia: 700,000 fewer children will die than in 2000
- Diarrhea: 600,000 fewer children will die than in 2000
- Measles: 400,000 fewer children will die than in 2000
- Malaria: 300,000 fewer children will die than in 2000
Fewer deaths and fewer illnesses: Ten million people are walking today who otherwise would be crippled by polio, thanks to the global polio eradication program led by a stellar public‐private team: USG, UNICEF, WHO, Rotary, the Gates Foundation. The world is on the verge of eradicating polio and Guinea Worm; and smallpox is gone for good. Some say HIV/AIDS could be next!
Americans say we're not spending enough on global health and development (when they know the facts):
Only a tiny fraction of the U.S. public (in the single digits) holds an isolationist view. The vast majority of Americans, when polled, believe the U.S. should spend between 5‐10% of the federal budget on foreign assistance.
Here’s the catch:
The U.S. government spends just one half of 1% of the federal budget on this life-saving work worldwide!
Only a tiny fraction of the U.S. public (in the single digits) holds an isolationist view. The vast majority of Americans, when polled, believe the U.S. should spend between 5‐10% of the federal budget on foreign assistance.
Here’s the catch:
The U.S. government spends just one half of 1% of the federal budget on this life-saving work worldwide!
American generosity:
If ranked on the sheer amount of aid given, the U.S. government is leader. But if we look at foreign assistance as a percentage of gross national income, the U.S. ranks 21st among donor countries (Organization for Economic Co‐Operation.)
It costs so little:
U.S. security is good business:
A strategic balance of Defense, Diplomacy and Development has been, since World War II, our bipartisan‐supported national security foreign policy.
If ranked on the sheer amount of aid given, the U.S. government is leader. But if we look at foreign assistance as a percentage of gross national income, the U.S. ranks 21st among donor countries (Organization for Economic Co‐Operation.)
It costs so little:
- Approximately $1 a year per American funds all USG foreign aid to provide access to safe water.
- Approximately 50 cents a year per American funds USG’s efforts overseas to eradicate polio.
- Approximately $3 a year per American funds the USG’s work to defeat malaria.
- Approximately 30 cents a year per American funds US foreign aid to treat 7 disfiguring and debilitating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) that afflict one billion people; 500,000 are children.
U.S. security is good business:
A strategic balance of Defense, Diplomacy and Development has been, since World War II, our bipartisan‐supported national security foreign policy.
- 43 of the top 50 consumer nations of American agricultural products were once U.S. foreign assistance recipients but are no longer. Many are now active trade partners.
- Every $1 invested to stop chronic malnutrition returns $30 in higher lifetime productivity.
- Immunizations improve health in later life, with benefits worth 20 times the cost.
- For every $1 invested in water and sanitation, at least $4 is returned in saved health care costs and increased economic productivity.
- Something as simple as soap can prevent disease in millions of newborns this year.
Every child deserves a 5th birthday:
Despite these impressive results, 6.3 million children under five did not reach their fifth birthday in 2015. 17,000 children die ‐‐ every day – mostly from preventable diseases.
We can stop this crisis: We have efficient, effective and sustainable interventions that insure children and whole communities survive and thrive; assistance makes economic sense in tight times; and helps increase security at a fraction of the cost of other interventions.
We cannot afford to lose momentum: We're heading in the right direction. Foreign assistance is not a choice but an imperative to improve health, development and human security for all.