Recently, there have been numerous news stories about innocent people living in Gaza not getting enough humanitarian aid. Families are starving and men often risk their lives at food drop off points because of shootings by the Israel Defense Forces.
Since President Donald Trump came into office, humanitarian programs such as USAID have been eliminated or cut significantly. Many people may ask why. I am working with The Borgen Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization trying to end extreme poverty (www.borgenproject.org). They and their partners debunk myths as to why the U.S. is reluctant to give aid to countries in extreme poverty.
First myth: Foreign aid is a waste of money. Counterpoint: Foreign aid saves lives by improving education, supporting health care, agriculture and infrastructure, creating jobs and increasing long-term economic growth.
Second myth: The U.S. spends too much on foreign aid. Counterpoint: Contrary to common belief, foreign aid does not take up a significant part of the U.S.’s federal budget. Instead, it only takes up approximately 1%.
Third myth: Extreme poverty is rising. Counterpoint: It has significantly declined over the past two decades. Fifth myth: We can end extreme poverty without addressing gender inequality. Counterpoint: Women’s empowerment is crucial to elevating communities and making it certain that they are able to escape and stay out of poverty.
While I am unable to go over all the myths and counterpoints in this letter, please review the entire article at globalcitizen.org.
What can you do in the meantime? Contact your Utah lawmakers (Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. John Curtis and Rep. Celeste Maloy) and ask them to increase the foreign aid budget in 2026 and ask them to send immediate aid to Gaza and other countries living in extreme poverty.
Brenda Williams, Salt Lake City
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