InterAction

On Friday, the Trump administration notified Congress of their intent to formally ‘abolish USAID as an independent establishment.’ They also notified Congress of their ‘intent to undertake a reorganization that would involve realigning certain USAID functions to the [State] Department by July 1, 2025.’ InterAction released a statement urging Congress to ensure the administration does not take further unilateral action to abolish USAID. Congressional action and agreement are required to legally abolish the agency as it was created by Congress. We're already seeing some of these real world costs in the U.S. government's muted response to the Myanmar earthquake. “We urge the administration to prioritize and safeguard rapid response capabilities, like what is currently needed in Myanmar ... America must uphold its global leadership and continue to reach the people most in need.” Our full statement 👇

“One of the challenges is you can't just stop and start programming. Things like HIV and AIDS, the minute people are off their treatment, they build up resistance." Lisa Bos, Vice President for Policy and Government Relations at InterAction, joined Devex to talk through what's next for U.S. foreign assistance. “We have lost expertise and staff, not just at USAID, but in some of these countries where you had locally employed staff at NGOs who are not going to come back ... I think there will be an immense distrust of the United States as a partner," she added. Watch the full Devex Pro briefing below ⬇️

The Trump administration is cutting $2.6 billion from Gavi, threatening to leave 75 million kids unvaccinated and potentially causing 1.2 million child deaths. We call on Congress to ensure these vital programs continue. https://lnkd.in/e826Eh9v

Americans think too much is spent on foreign aid ONLY when they assume that number is higher than it actually is. When the real figure is known—about 1% of the annual budget—most say the U.S. spends about the right amount. That shift occurs across party lines. This significant gap, revealed in a recent survey from KFF, reinforces past polling that also shows most Americans overestimate how much is spent on foreign assistance. The survey reveals a gap between the administration's actions and public opinion.

"These USAID missions are ... early warning systems for disease outbreaks that can lead to pandemics. Disease cannot be stopped at the U.S. border. It can be stopped only where it originates, which USAID has done successfully." USAID programs build strategic partnerships that underpin U.S. leadership in addressing numerous global challenges—not just pandemics. Andrew Natsios, former USAID administrator under President George W. Bush, explains how America's strength lies in relationships USAID missions build with communities.

We're proud of our Members HIAS and Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)/USA who were featured in this powerful New York Times article, showcasing their vital work despite increasingly limited resources. Their testimony highlights the detrimental effects that insufficient foreign aid funding has on vulnerable populations who have already endured unimaginable hardship. Foreign aid isn't just a line item in a budget—it's a lifeline for millions. InterAction and our partners continue to advocate for robust humanitarian funding that reflects America's values and global leadership role.

InterAction President and CEO, Tom Hart, speaks today at a panel organized by RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund on the role of nonprofits in strengthening democracy. The webinar will explore the state of advocacy in the nonprofit community and the potential benefits of transformational advocacy. 📆 Today, March 19 🕑 2:00pm Register here: https://lnkd.in/eww6y5jz

“In this environment of change and disruption, having Congress pass level funding for foreign assistance” could be seen as a “huge win,” said Lisa Bos, our VP of global development policy and advocacy. But big questions remain around a recissions package, writes Adva Saldinger for Devex. https://lnkd.in/ezzTan9G

InterAction is pleased to share the launch of our new Member-exclusive training series #ConnectAid. ConnectAid was inspired by the need to create opportunities for shared learning and collaboration as the conversation around foreign assistance becomes increasingly complex. On March 5, InterAction hosted our first ConnectAid session, “We Are All Advocates Now”. The session featured a panel discussion with advocacy experts Kyle Matous of Advocacy Associates and Nikole Burroughs of Tiber Creek Group. The panel discussed how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can engage in effective and bipartisan advocacy for critical issues such as global health and food security. To learn more about past and present ConnectAid sessions, visit us at: https://lnkd.in/eHG3C-Kt

Sudan faces the world's largest displacement and hunger crisis, with nearly 26 million people facing severe hunger. Following cuts to U.S. foreign assistance, emergency response rooms, which have been nominated for the Nobel Prize, find themselves with an over 70% funding gap. This has left 1.8 million famine-affected people without food that previously would have. To effectively respond, the Sudan INGO Forum has released priorities that donors, diplomats, and responders should focus on.