America will be less safe, less prosperous and weaker in the eyes of the world as a result of the Trump Administration’s abrupt and uninformed assault on foreign aid and the USAID. Secretary Rubio has canceled 83% of USAID’s programs, claiming that they do not serve national interests. As a retired Foreign Service Officer who has lived and worked across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, I know he is wrong.

Hunger, extreme poverty, and insecurity make people more susceptible to extremist ideologies and drive illegal migration. USAID’s programs help people to feed themselves and create economic opportunities where they live. Controlling infectious diseases also makes us safer. As we learned from the COVID pandemic, diseases do not respect borders no matter how tightly controlled, and U.S. support to contain Ebola and other diseases has been cut. Foreign aid fosters business climates friendly to U.S. trade and investment, controls corrupt practices that benefit China and gives US businesses valuable entry points to new markets. A USAID-led effort to expand access to electricity in Africa, has used $1 billion to secure power generation and distribution for over 100 U.S. firms worth $26 billion. As U.S. military leaders know, foreign aid is an essential — and cost-effective — complement to military might. As Congress debates the budget, New Hampshire’s Congressional delegation must insist that the Trump administration restore the development and humanitarian programs that actually do make America safer, stronger and more prosperous.

Susan Fine

Sunapee