Some have called upon our government to reduce foreign aid to needy countries in order to rebuild our economy and relieve the suffering of Americans during the pandemic. Is this wise?

Although the United States gives more aid than any other country, we are the wealthiest country and our contribution is less than 0.2 percent of our gross domestic product. We spend over 300 times that amount on our defense budget (3.4 percent of GDP as of 2019). The United Nations suggests 0.7 percent of gross national income as a target for foreign aid. As of January 2020, four nations (Sweden, Norway, Luxembourg and Denmark) have exceeded that target.

Generally, according to the Brookings Institute, 21 percent of foreign aid goes to the governments of needy countries while the rest goes to nongovernmental organizations and other private entities. Aid can be ineffective when it becomes entangled in corrupt governments or poorly planned projects, but it has been instrumental in improving maternal health, drinking water and sanitation.

Aside from expressing our values of caring for others, continuing or even increasing global aid at this time is an important use of “soft power.” Supporting developing countries and spreading democratic values strengthens our security and builds economies and markets.

China, which has made progress in getting COVID under control, is turning outward to assist struggling nations. One of the most compelling reasons for continuing aid could be to help control the spread of COVID before it can cause another wave of illness in our country. As has been said: “We’re all in this together.”

Judith Johnson
Scarborough

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