Now the CHWs are seen to be a key part of a functioning primary health system. This system should include a clinic within short walking distance, with supplies, a skilled birth attendant and other staff, electricity, and safe water; an ambulance for emergency transport; an emergency “911” number; a policy of free care at the point of service (so as not to turn away the indigent); and trained and remunerated CHWs, taught also to treat diseases and save lives in the community.
Investing in overseas development is sometimes a hard sell when our own country is focused on economic recovery and job creation. Sustainable development creates stronger economies, with more consumers to trade and do business with in our interconnected global marketplace. This, in turn, creates growth opportunities at home and abroad. Effective development directly improves the lives of the world’s poor and contributes toward a thriving international economy that serves our shared economic interests. That’s why, even in these tough times, foreign assistance is a good investment and, when done right, delivers results.
Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos; Prime Minister Raila Odinga of Kenya; Bob Geldof; and Michael Elliott, Chief Executive Officer of the non-governmental organization ONE.The situation in the Horn of Africa (Valerie Amos, Bob Geldof, Michael Elliott) - Press Conference
24 September 2011
Dr Schwartländer and his team looked at ten approaches to treating and preventing AIDS, ranging from drugs, via intervening in the prostitution industry, to searching for joint savings by collaborating with other areas of international development. They then devised a computer model that attempted to show how these would play out in each of 139 low- and middle-income countries. The result (see chart 4) is that expenditure peaks at $22 billion in 2015, and drops below $20 billion in 2020. If Dr Schwartländer and his colleagues are right, therefore, the world (and this includes at least the middle-income members of the 139) needs to stump up a maximum of $6 billion more at the peak of things than it is doing now. Moreover, this extra money would, according to Dr Schwartländer’s sums, largely be offset by savings on treatment avoided—for, compared with business as usual, 12.2m infections would be averted, and 7.4m deaths.
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“Please urgently provide the full funding that the UN has identified as necessary to help people in the Horn of Africa, and please keep your promises to deliver the long term solutions which could prevent crises like this from happening again.”
The prime minister said that when states were broken and mired in conflict, the UK suffered from a surge in illegal immigration, asylum seeking and even terrorism. “That’s why by 2015 we’ll be putting nearly a third of all our aid into conflict states. So the aid sceptics are wrong. Aid is essential.”
Jamie Drummond, executive director of the campaign group One, said: “David Cameron was right to identify trade and democracy as crucial pillars for development but he also recognises they are supported by smart strategic aid. Countries can only prosper if they have a healthy and educated workforce. We see this now as aid can help both get food aid through to those in desperate need, as well as help build up conditions whereby food aid won’t be needed in the future.”
So the pragmatic view based on solid analysis is that aid supports countries through tough times, helps them build up systems and expertise, and as soon as possible puts itself out of business. In fact, if there’s one thing that both the sceptics and those that support evidence-based spending on aid can agree on, it is that a world without aid is the ultimate goal.
The State Department and USAID are facing their toughest budget season ever as the GOP looks to international affairs accounts for major cuts. But the new Deputy Secretary of State for Management Tom Nides said that the State Department’s argument this year will be that international affairs spending is crucial for America’s national security and therefore can’t be sacrificed.
American diplomats, Clinton said, are working in countries around the world to break down barriers for U.S. companies to compete in global markets and she suggested new markets in the developing world present a new opportunity for export. She cited Open Skies agreements with countries that allow create new flight routes overseas from American cities, creating jobs near the airports. A new direct flight from Memphis to Amsterdam has had a $120 million impact on Tennessee’s economy and supports over 2,200 local jobs, she said.
As former members of Congress, we are familiar with the political and fiscal pressures brought to bear on the international affairs budget, which supports our tools of economic development and diplomacy. So we want to offer some perspective. The total international affairs budget represents a little more than 1 percent of total federal outlays. But that small investment produces significant benefits for the American people.
