Call for U.S. to honor promises on poverty aid
The Gazette
April 6, 2008
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made a compelling case for recognizing the urgent worldwide food crisis — and acting to relieve it — in a March 23 column. Prices for basic staples are at historic highs, and global food supplies are at record lows. The 1 billion people living on $1 a day or less will not be able to keep themselves alive much longer.
We in the United States have the resources to help head off this crisis. The House has just passed the Global Poverty Act, which will help alleviate some of this crisis, and the Senate needs to follow suit. Yet these measures can do their job only if they are adequately funded. The International Affairs Budget needs to be increased by $5 billion to not only send food to relieve this year's crisis but also fund programs focusing on clean water, agricultural productivity, education and health care.
Of late, the United States has made big promises to help a world in need, but the money hasn't been sent. Therefore, the help never arrives. Let's change that pattern right now. Call Sens.Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley to get the Senate Global Poverty Bill (S. 2433) passed. Then urge them, as well as Rep. David Loebsack, to bird-dog the progress of the international affairs portion to see to it that we really do keep our promises to help a hungry, hurting world.
Carolyn Schmidt
Cedar Rapids
