I can say with certainty that USAID is a vital component of our foreign policy as a retired senior U.S. official. It encourages the much-needed aid that so many developing countries need to improve the lives of their people. It also helps to strengthen a nation’s capacity to take independent action in the future.
The work done by USAID is a great illustration of how our nation can support the same level of health and general well-being that we do; it speaks good of us both as a nation and as individuals. The USAID budget is not excessive, just like the total amount of international aid.
It would be a grave mistake to abolish this agency. In addition to greater deaths, there will probably be conflict in several nations, which could eventually have an impact on the US. Even if the current government may decide to overlook them, there are many examples of USAID’s prior achievements.
Portland’s Wayne Logsdon
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