Letter to Appropriators Regarding Minimum Bridge Funding for COVID-19

Dear Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Granger, Chairman Shelby, Vice Chairman Leahy,

As some of the largest NGOs that implement and advocate for humanitarian, health, and development programs on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic in low- and middle-income countries, we thank you for your continued commitment to the health, safety, and welfare of people beyond our borders. The global health and economic crisis caused by the novel coronavirus will have extensive short- and long- term human and financial costs. U.S. leadership abroad is needed now more than ever, especially for the world’s most vulnerable communities. Suppression and mitigation of the pandemic in developing countries is also central to ending the pandemic in the United States. In addition, we will need to address the secondary and tertiary effects this pandemic will create worldwide.

We ask that in addition to resources already provided in H.R. 6074 and other resources needed for multilateral response, Congress provides a minimum of $1.5 billion in funding spread across Migration and Refugee Assistance, International Disaster Assistance, the Economic Support Fund, and USAID Global Health Programs to support bilateral programs best positioned to respond to this fast-evolving crisis globally. These funds are only a bridge between now and the coming months as a more complete picture of the pandemic unfolds. More funds will be necessary. We also request that you provide robust resources and necessary authorizations to the operating accounts at the Department of State and USAID. Please see our letter dated March 19, 2020, for a discussion of those authorizations.

This is the first time in the modern era that a pandemic is simultaneously striking the U.S. and our international partners, and we appreciate the significant overlapping challenges you are facing. Please reach out to us for any additional information you may require.

Sincerely,

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