Mary Stata writes about reforming U.S. foreign aid in the latest issue of PeaceSigns. An excerpt:
Foreign aid is the primary policy avenue for the United States to help alleviate poverty and hunger. America’s primary legislation governing foreign aid took effect in the 1960s. The development challenges of the 21st century differ greatly from those of the 1960s, but the legislation remains unreformed. An alarming consequence of outdated foreign aid is the increasing role the Department of Defense plays in distributing aid and engaging in development work. The military’s massive budget allows it to fill in the gaps created by an inefficient and under-resourced foreign aid system.
Currently, the United States’ global development policies and programs are scattered throughout 12 departments, 25 agencies, and nearly 60 government offices. A more cohesive foreign aid system would improve efficiency, accountability, and effectiveness. In an uncertain economic climate, it is sensible to use US foreign aid dollars cogently and in a fiscally responsible manner.
Rep. Howard Berman (CA-28) and Rep. Mark Kirk (IL-10) recently introduced H.R. 2139, a bill that initiates several reforms of the foreign aid system. The bill requires the president to develop and implement a strategy for global development, improves evaluation of development programs, and increases transparency of U.S. foreign aid to developing countries.
You can send a letter urging support for this bill to your representative by clicking here. The rest of the article is available in PeaceSigns.
These are all interesting criticisms of the way foreign aid delivery is currently organized in the US. I’d like to offer my own perspective, which I’ve written about at my own blog here: http://jointstock.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/the-basics/
The main point is this: donors like the US government will have to start focusing on delivering comprehensive aid in a specific geographic locale, instead of single-issue aid globally. When local service delivery is a key determinant of political legitimacy, our ability to delivery comprehensive aid packages to specific provinces (in Afghanistan, for example), will be crucial in our ability to prevent failed states and maintain national security.