Quotes
For countries battered by conflict, climate change and economic turmoil, brutal funding cuts don't mean that humanitarian needs disappear,
said Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
Mr. Marocco was very clear in exposing the waste that goes on out there and in pointing out the way that many of these programs in state and USAID were designed to not be accountable,
he said
The decision to freeze and terminate foreign aid contracts and assistance awards without any meaningful review jeopardizes our partnerships with key allies, erodes trust, and creates openings for adversaries to expand their influence,
said the cable, a copy of which was seen by Reuters
The freeze on life-saving aid has already caused irreparable harm and suffering to millions of people around the world,
the letter said, addingWe do not comment on leaked internal communication.”
A state department spokesperson, when asked about the cable, said
I think it's clear that this is anything but an actual methodical review,
Representative Sara Jacobs told reportersThis is not transparent at all,
Representative Gregory Meeks, the committee's ranking Democrat said,As you know, we’re in the midst of conducting a review of U.S. foreign aid programs,
the memo said of the director's opening remarksNo one will argue with the philanthropic nature of foreign assistance,
Pete Marocco, the director of the Office of Foreign Assistance — which sits under the State Department's federal umbrella — said to a group of faith-based organizations FridayIf U.S. foreign aid is only reaching 10% of its intended target, and the private sector is reaching the right people 87% of the time, this is a fundamental, age-old question we must return to and take seriously,
he continuedEvery day my administration is fighting to deliver the change America needs to bring a future that America deserves, and we're doing it,
Trump said Tuesday eveningThe truth is: the American people have lost faith in foreign assistance. They’ve lost faith in how we carry out this work. Nevertheless, today you’re here to think big and tell us how foreign assistance can be optimally effective,
he addedBut we would like to identify the gaps that have emerged in the energy sector and try to fill them as much as possible. Of course, we have certain budgetary constraints, but we would like to do more. We must seriously consider the energy and infrastructure sectors, and we will be looking into them."
Quote from Matsunaga
The resulting financial strain not only undermines confidence in the U.S. government as a reliable partner, it also weakens domestic economic growth at a time of mounting global competition,
the cable said
Foreign assistance is not charity. Instead, it is a strategic tool that stabilizes regions, prevents conflict, and advances U.S. interests,
the letter said