Catholic Relief Services Advocacy Priorities for 2009-2010

Issues	Advocacy Priorities
Global Health	CRS will advocate for generous funding of programs such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) that help prevent, treat and care for poor people affected by diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. CRS will also advocate to ensure that these programs' foundational goal of saving lives remains in tact.
Global Hunger	CRS will support significant funding of emergency food aid for people suffering from war and natural disasters as well as food aid that promotes long-term development. CRS will also promote policy changes that will benefit poor people who cannot access or produce enough food and especially those affected by the global food crisis.
Global Poverty	CRS will promote strong funding of programs that fight global poverty through education, health, agriculture and microfinance. CRS will also focus on reforming the U.S. international assistance framework; reauthorizing the Millennium Challenge Account; and addressing the role of the U.S. military as it relates to the delivery of international humanitarian assistance.
Global Migration	CRS will advocate for comprehensive immigration reform in partnership with the Catholic Church's Justice for Immigrants campaign that not only addresses the plight of immigrants already in the United States but also the root causes of migration. CRS will also encourage support for Iraqi refugees who have fled their homes.

Countries and Regions	Advocacy Priorities
Israel/Palestine	CRS will work in partnership with the USCCB and the Catholic Campaign for Peace in the Holy Land to support peace with justice for all people in this troubled region, while responding to the humanitarian and sustainable development needs of Palestinians.
Colombia	CRS will promote positive changes in U.S. policy towards Colombia that promotes a negotiated, political path towards peace, decreased emphasis on military aid, increased development and humanitarian aid, promotion of human rights in all aid efforts as well as phasing out of aerial fumigation.
Afghanistan	CRS will advocate for changes in U.S. reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan that will benefit the short- and long-term needs of poor people.
Greater Sudan	CRS will support generous U.S. funding of humanitarian assistance efforts in the Greater Sudan region affected by war as well as stronger U.S. leadership to bring an end to the violence and build lasting peace in the region.
Greater Congo/ Great Lakes Region	CRS will urge the U.S. government and other relevant actors to engage in support of peace in the region and to provide strong funding to meet humanitarian needs, prevent further conflict and stimulate long-term development.