Print version Email to a friend

U.S. NGOs support proposal to modernize Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 13:00 GMT

Source: alertnet

Washington, D.C.---U.S. NGO alliance InterAction welcomes today’s release of U.S. Rep. Howard Berman’s (D-CA) draft Global Partnerships Act of 2011, a proposal which brings U.S. foreign assistance into the 21st century. This new plan, which comes half a century after the implementation of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, establishes a much-needed framework to reform the current system of delivering U.S. assistance abroad. Key provisions in the draft would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of foreign assistance, while also protecting U.S. interests.

“This new plan to streamline and modernize foreign assistance makes more sense than haphazardly slashing the budget now—as some in Congress have proposed—and paying significantly more later to fix systemic problems and meet program needs,” said Samuel A. Worthington, president and CEO of InterAction. “We are pleased this proposal includes many of the reform elements our members have championed in recent years.”

The bill:

• Improves inter-agency coordination by mandating a Development Policy Committee to oversee and coordinate all U.S. budgets, policies, strategies and programs affecting developing countries.
• Requires the development of a comprehensive U.S. Strategy for Global Development every four years that includes clear and specific goals and objectives for U.S. development assistance. 
• Requires a comprehensive plan to strengthen and rebuild USAID’s capacity.
• Stipulates that humanitarian action should be primarily civilian in nature, with the Department of Defense providing overseas humanitarian assistance only when there is no comparable civilian alternative, and the use of military assets can uniquely meet a critical humanitarian need.
• Calls for U.S. humanitarian action to meet international standards and ensure equal treatment of refugees, internally displaced persons, and others affected by conflict.
• Establishes country ownership as a key principle and acknowledges that “civil society should be included in the planning, design, management, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of foreign assistance.”
• Articulates—for the first time in U.S. law—that the goal of humanitarian assistance is to save lives, alleviate suffering, maintain human dignity, and protect the rights of extremely vulnerable people.
• Highlights that those affected by conflict are at a greater risk for sexual and gender-based violence.
• Recognizes the importance of building local capacity in partner countries.

InterAction applauds Rep. Berman’s leadership and looks forward to working with his staff as they refine the discussion draft in the coming weeks. Members on both sides of the aisle in Congress agree that reforms and updates to the current system are needed. This proposal offers an excellent opportunity to work together to move the Global Partnership Act of 2011 forward.

“Until Congress moves this proposal forward, the 50 year-old Foreign Assistance Act remains a roadblock to cementing any reforms. New legislation is needed to avoid any future partisan wrangling and make the improvements stick,” added Worthington.