Our world is struggling in a way that it never has before. The effects of the pandemic we have faced over the last year are something that will last far beyond 2021. We will be dealing with this fallout for years to come. Here in the United States, we have been greatly blessed with top of the line medical facilities as well as brave men and women who were willing to put their life on the line to protect us. We are also fortunate enough to have access to large amounts of the vaccine. However, there are many places around the world that have not been so fortunate, leaving them devastated by the events of the last year and a half.
Though this outlook may seem bleak, as a country we are in the unique position to help those across the globe who are struggling. The current administration has committed to assist in the relief process. Part of this plan includes sending 80 million doses of the vaccine to countries in need. This is an excellent move but there are other steps that can be taken to assist in the forien aid efforts.
One of the greatest ways we as a nation can help is by protecting funding for the International Affairs Budget, which supports U.S. diplomatic engagements, foreign assistance and international aid and development programs. Many Americans believe we are allocating far more to this budget than we are. In reality, the United States spends only .49% of its annual budget on foreign aid.
Recently I have had the privilege to volunteer with the Borgen Project, a nonprofit organization that fights global poverty by working to make foreign aid a key point of our country’s foreign policy. Through this opportunity, I have come to see the good that supporting foreign aid can do not only for our country but also those who receive the aid. It can strengthen American business, stabilize regions of conflict, promote American national security efforts, and save countless lives. These are all things we as a world are in desperate need of.
Ashtyn Smith, South Jordan
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