Accord Statement on Reevaluating & Realigning
US Foreign Assistance

  As a collective of 150 Christ-centered relief and development organizations, the Accord Network is dedicated to serving vulnerable communities worldwide.  Our members collectively leverage over $5 billion in resources annually to provide essential services such as food, shelter, medical care, and education.  We acknowledge the White House and State Department's efforts to ensure that U.S. foreign assistance aligns with American values of peace and stability.  As President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrestle with reform, we strongly urge them to ensure that U.S. policy and foreign assistance affirm and support the God-given dignity of all people, especially the most vulnerable.  These principles of dignity are echoed in our Country’s Declaration of Independence and, as Christians, in the words of Jesus:

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."

  Accord sees Foreign assistance, through disaster response and long term development, as vital to affirming the dignity of a Christian humanitarian mandate, and critical for the US as a superpower, to promote global stability and peace.  We are grateful for the waiver announced by Secretary Rubio on January 28th, which exempts life-saving humanitarian assistance from the 90-day pause on foreign aid. However, there remains a lack of clarity and urgency on issuing waivers, putting lives at risk.  We are asking Secretary Rubio for clarity on the process to ensure we can uphold our partnership agreements and continue life-saving work.  Finally, we look forward to good-faith dialogue with the State Department, USAID or its successor, and Congressional leaders as we look toward alignment and reform of US foreign assistance.  

  Accord is actively engaging on behalf of our members, and those they serve, in the following ways:  

1. Leaning on our partnership with Unlock Aid, which is actively engaging Congress and the State Department for a prudent and compassionate way forward on foreign assistance.
2. Hosting a weekly US Foreign Assistance Task Force call each Wednesday at 12 ET to share information among members who receive US government funding and are impacted by the changes.  Please contact Michael Cerna if your organization is impacted and you’d like to join this meeting.
3. Engaging with State Department and Congressional leaders through Accord leadership and members to ensure a dignified and prudential way forward on US foreign assistance. 
4. Carrying each other's burdens & concerns on US foreign assistance through solidarity and prayer.

  Please join us in solidarity, prayer, dialogue, and action, to ensure the US Government remains a generous partner in contributing to God honoring human flourishing, especially for the most vulnerable around the world.  

Prayerfully, 

Michael Cerna, on behalf of the Accord Network