Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) said on Tuesday that U.S. aid to Africa has helped fight disease, maintain peace and build goodwill.
Granger, the chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operation and Related Programs, delivered her remarks during a hearing on U.S. assistance to Africa.
“We have seen proven results from some of the investments already made – such as life-saving programs in HIV/AIDS, malaria and maternal and child health – and conservation programs that have helped countries manage and protect Africa’s unique natural resources,” Granger said. “Our investments pay dividends in public diplomacy. In Africa, opinions of the United States rank among the highest in the world.”
Granger said $6.9 billion, or 35 percent, of the fiscal year 2015 budget request for state and U.S. Agency for International Development aid is for Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Africa also receives the majority of funds requested for the president’s three major foreign aid initiatives, and last year the administration announced three new initiatives for Africa focused on power, trade and youth leadership,” Granger said.
U.S. assistance supports peacekeeping missions, counter-terrorism initiatives and programs that strive to reform and professional police and military forces.
“The needs have never been greater,” Granger said. “New and troubling conflicts have broken out in South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Long-standing violence continues in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Terrorism remains a significant threat not only to stability in Africa, but to our own national security….”
Proposed cuts to humanitarian assistance in 2015 don’t reflect the reality of those situations in Africa, Granger said, and she hoped the subcommittee could address that.