U.S. funding freeze of USAID puts tied aid in the spotlight

 

Millions of people around the world have been negatively affected by the U.S. government’s decision to freeze foreign aid through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 

While most of those affected live in the developing world, it is also hurting another group: American farmers. 

The agency, which has an annual budget of about $40 billion USD, typically spends about $2 billion of that total buying crops from U.S. farmers for aid through its Food for Peace program—what’s called “tied aid.” 

Republican officials in states such as Kansas, North Dakota and Arkansas are asking President Donald Trump for an exemption to the cuts, saying they will affect farmers in their states — many of which voted for Trump in the election. 

In Canada, farmers do not face a similar worry, even if a future federal government were to cut foreign aid spending, as Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to do. That’s because the Canadian government doesn’t buy food from Canadian farmers for aid shipments; it’s aid is “untied.” 

And that’s thanks to the efforts of Canadian Foodgrains Bank, over 20 years ago. 

Read the story in Canadian Affairs.

Photo above: Locally purchased food from Canadian Foodgrains Bank being delivered in the West Bank.

 

 

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