Cuts to international aid highlight the need to keep up our support

In these challenging times, “when the hits keep coming,” it’s easy to throw up our hands and give in to despair, says Archbishop Anne Germond, acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. “While we cannot change what’s happening around us in this moment in history, we can choose how we act and where we offer our support.” 

The cuts to international aid by USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and a number of European governments are having devastating impacts on aid organizations all over the world, including Alongside Hope partners. Alongside Hope has been working closely with the Anglican Alliance, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) and Cooperation Canada to address the impact of these cuts.  

When the Government of Canada and other governments direct aid to NGOs (non-governmental organizations) such as our partners, it provides stability and saves lives. Funding cuts are jeopardizing many Alongside Hope partner programs: 

• Anglican Development Services in Kenya was forced to quickly scale back school food programs, anti-retrovirals and other wraparound care for children and youth living with HIV/AIDS. The futures of more than 160 case workers are now uncertain. 
• Church World Service in Kenya and Tanzania has been forced to suspend an extensive refugee resettlement program in the United States which has directly affected thousands of refugees waiting to come to the United States, as well as refugees living in Kenya and Tanzania. With the sudden funding cuts as well as unpaid reimbursements from USAID, Church World Service had to lay off 750 staff. Alongside Hope is providing additional support to CWS to assist refugees whose hopes of a new life in the U.S. were shattered with the suspension of the U.S. refugee resettlement program, including 10 families who had already left the camp in Tanzania and had to return when their travel was cancelled. 
• Rayjon Share Care in Haiti is coping with cuts to nearby hospitals that had received USAID supplies, allowing them to care for community members and ensure medical services and referrals.
• The Panzi Foundation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had to shelve a program designed to respond to gender-based violence awaiting possible funding from USAID. This program would have brought dignity to women recovering from GBV and as they continue to care for children and their communities.   
• A stop in support for children in Uganda with HIV/AIDS has affected communities where our partners work. Staff of St. Jude Family Projects shared that they are operating in a situation of uncertainty. The ambiguity is affecting their planning for the future well-being of children and compromising the gains made to date. 

The sudden cuts from USAID are disproportionately affecting people who are already at risk, children and youth living with HIV/AIDS, refugees who no longer see a durable solution, and the very hungry who depend on food and other humanitarian aid.  

We are encouraged by the words of Archbishop John Stephens of the Diocese of New Westminster in British Columbia. “We believe in a God of compassion and grace. And we believe that we are called to live into this compassion and grace with love and trust in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. … Our baptismal covenant asks of us, ‘Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?’ The response anticipated to that question is ‘I will, with God’s help.’ We trust that God will guide us, shape us and help us to live into this. These are not mere words, but words of vision and hope wrapped in God’s vision and hope for us.” 

This support through prayer, giving and solidarity demonstrates that Canadians care for neighbours in other parts of our world. We are committed to justice. Your support saves lives. It builds stability, peace and health in areas where there has been war, natural disasters and pandemics. It brings dignity, as Archbishop Stephens said, to the stranger, the poor, the refugee, the immigrant, the one in need.

“Now, more than ever Anglican Christians are called to be a people of bold hope,” says Archbishop Germond. “Thank you for the ways in which you already contribute to Alongside Hope’s many partnerships and may God put it on your heart to be even more generous.”

How you can help:

• Please pray for our neighbours all over the world whose livelihoods and futures have been made uncertain.
• Contact your Member of Parliament and advocate for increased aid funding. 
• Give to Alongside Hope as we respond to increased hunger and needs around the world. You can donate online at alongsidehope.org/give-today or call 1-866-308-7973, or mail your cheque to Alongside Hope, 80 Hayden Street, 3rd floor, Toronto, Ont., M4Y 3G2.