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Media CenterCRS Expresses Concern Over Drastic Cuts to Foreign Aid in House Appropriations Bill
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Nikki Gamer
Catholic Relief Services
[email protected]
(978) 884-0003
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, June 27, 2023 – Bill O’Keefe, executive vice president of Mission, Mobilization and Advocacy at Catholic Relief Services (CRS), issued the following statement in response to the proposed reductions in foreign aid spending included in the FY24 U.S. House appropriations bill:
“We are extremely troubled by the cuts to foreign assistance included in the House’s FY24 State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill. These cuts would slash vital overseas aid programming by up to a third, including substantial cuts to development assistance and life-saving global health and humanitarian aid. The bill also omits funding for climate adaptation, even as climate change deepens poverty, worsens hunger and promotes migration across the globe.
Recognizing we are a blessed nation, strong bipartisan majorities have long supported humanitarian and development aid that has saved millions of lives, contributed to greater stability and rolled back global health threats, such as HIV. The House's current proposal is a departure from this legacy and threatens the lives of many around the world as well as our national security.
We look forward to collaborating with Congress in the coming weeks and months to ensure these cuts are not enacted and secure continued U.S. leadership in providing life-saving and life-giving assistance to poor and vulnerable populations.”
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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For more information, visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org and follow Catholic Relief Services on social media in English at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube; and in Spanish at: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Online Tools:
CRS Online Press Room: www.crs.org/press-room
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Senior Public Affairs Manager
Based in Baltimore, MD
Nikki is the Senior Public Affairs Manager for CRS and connects journalists to regional stories and sources related to the agency’s life-saving development work. Previously, Nikki worked as the Communications Officer for the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia. She has covered CRS’ response to the Syrian refugee crisis and the mass displacement...More
