As US International Aid Grinds Down…
“Half the world lacks access to essential health services.”
World Economic Forum [Source]
“Every year nearly 6 million people die in developing countries from low quality healthcare.”
World Economic Forum [Source]
The statistics above used to be true. But change is coming. In the days ahead, the number of people suffering and dying around the globe from preventable and curable causes is sure to grow dramatically as we watch US international support begin to grind to a halt.
Only one day after USAID funding was put on hold, I heard from Michael Toso. Mike is the Senior Program Officer at Johns Hopkins Center for Communications. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Global Health Ministries (GHM) and grew up in Madagascar as part of a medical missionary family. Mike pointed out that today, in every country where GHM works – that country’s national healthcare department depends on USAID to function. Mike went on to point out that, “The scope of this ‘stop work’ order goes far beyond USAID. Most United Nations programs receive about 50% of their funding from the United States Government.”
GHM’s mission hasn’t changed. Jesus never wavered in giving priority to people who were poor, hungry, sick, imprisoned, or a stranger. This is the reason GHM formed. Lutheran medical missionaries organized GHM to work together with congregations and individuals across the USA to partner with Lutheran hospitals, clinics, and community health efforts around the globe. Today, over 30 million people have one of these Lutheran facilities or programs in their neighborhood. This is where we partner, building long-term relationships across three continents in solidarity and faith to make health, hope, and healing available for all.
Thanks to our 100% private donor base, GHM remains strong and unwavering in our commitment. GHM is poised to do more in 2025 than we’ve ever accomplished. After almost four decades, our relationships with leaders in these countries are both a privilege and a calling.
We need your support to increase all that we can do together: shipping medical supplies and equipment, offering grants to strengthen healthcare systems and improve community health, and leading a network of talented consultants in partnerships in over a dozen Low- and Middle- Income Countries (LMIC).
WHY GLOBAL HEALTH MATTERS
Mike Toso put it simply, “Global health means admitting we are interconnected and doing something about it.”
Science tells us that global health concerns impact everyone, no matter where we are on the planet. Many Americans discovered this as COVID-19 came among us. Today, the threats are no less imminent or consequential. Increasing egg prices are a reminder that bird flu is growing. According to the Global Health Council, the recent suspension of international aid has already interrupted the surveillance of bird flu in 49 countries. Concerns about a growing pandemic are widespread. Among humans, the Ebola virus has surfaced again in Uganda (234 new cases). But the recent cuts mean USAID will not be functioning to contain it. In Tanzania, the Marburg virus broke out in January. Again, recent cuts result in more vulnerability as US funded efforts to contain the virus are not there. [Source] These three examples alone are not insignificant. Yet, with rapid travel and commerce interconnecting the entire globe, there are many more threats which could be in our own neighborhoods relatively soon.
As Christians, health around the world matters to us because it matters to God. The scriptures speak to a deep interconnectedness of all people and a call by God for those who have resources to live in solidarity with those who have few resources. God calls us to love our neighbors, serve the “least of these,” and address injustices.
WHAT CAN I DO?
We need to look to each other in this time for inspiration, support, and guidance. In that spirit, we are joining hands with Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry to encourage you with the following few steps:
Call or Write:
Call or write to your senator or representative and let them know you oppose the stop work order at USAID and believe that it’s our Christian responsibility to care for our neighbors all around the world, especially those who are most vulnerable.
Sign the petition at change.org to Stop the USAID Stop Work Order
Give:
Donate to organizations who are either directly funded by USAID, or who may need to increase their support to fill gaps left by this order. Recommendations include:
Stay Informed:
The world may feel overwhelming right now. If you need to “unplug” for your personal mental health, I understand. Yet, it is especially important at this time that Christians engage in an unrelenting wave of compassion and justice. I encourage you stay informed and consider what “doing the next right thing” means for you, especially in the face of overwhelming harmful actions in this world. If doing your job means saying no to policies and proclamations you see as unlawful or detrimental, your faithfulness matters. By doing even small acts of justice and mercy, our neighbors, locally and around the globe will benefit from God’s love at work through you.
Watch for future blogs and interviews as we navigate and reflect on our Christian calling and the changing context of global health in which we minister.
Together in faith and service,
Doug Cox,
Executive Director, GHM
