Take action in support of humanitarian and development assistance.
Since President Trump’s orders to suspend U.S. foreign assistance programs pending a 90-day review process, a large portion of lifesaving programs were stopped, followed by complete terminations. While some of the programs were restored, the administration has terminated more than 80% of U.S. foreign assistance thus far. Terminated programs include those that provide lifesaving medicine to millions of people living with HIV including children, nutrition programs that fight acute malnutrition in under-resourced communities, and many more that provide aid to relieve suffering during humanitarian crises.
It is important for people of faith to insist that policymakers recognize the lives imperiled by these terminations.
The United States has historically been the largest donor of humanitarian and development assistance to people in need around the world. The administration’s sudden termination of these programs is causing life-threatening consequences: more people living with HIV are unable to find antiretroviral medicine to help them sustain life, millions of people in countries around the world are at risk of starvation, and much more.
As Lutherans, ”we affirm that our nation has responsibility to contribute a portion of its wealth to people in poorer nations through effective economic assistance,” reads the ELCA social statement For Peace in God’s World (p. 16).
Please urge your members of Congress to do everything they can to reinstate lifesaving humanitarian and development assistance programs. Customize the message with your words and convictions. Thank you for your advocacy.
[Updated 5/9/2025, Posted: 2/5/2025]
