Title: Flashing Red: The State of Global Humanitarian Affairs
Date: March 22, 2017
Link: https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/flashing-red-the-state-of-global-humanitarian-affairs-032217

Witnesses:

Mr. Gregory C. Gottlieb
Acting Assistant Administrator, Bureau Of Democracy, Conflict, And Humanitarian Assistance, Unites States Agency for International Development

The Honorable Nancy Lindborg
President, United States Institute of Peace

Mr. Yves Daccord
Director-General, International Committee of the Red Cross

Summary:

The hearing focused mainly on the declared famine and impending famines in Nigeria, Yemen, South Sudan, and Somalia.

Key Quotes:

“The United States continues to be the world leader in humanitarian response…USAID’s leadership in this area demonstrates extraordinary global reach, influence, and impact. ” Mr. Gregory Gottlieb

“At the end of day, the United States will provide one-third of the food assistance around the world. I’m proud of us for doing that and I know we’ll continue to do that. At the same time, it is still not meeting all of the needs.” Senator Bob Corker (R-TN)

“It is essential that we maintain our International Affairs Budget from this Senator’s standpoint, but we need to understand and facilitate legitimate private sector development. This, too, is one of the core tasks of USAID.” Senator Todd Young (R-IN)

“I share the concerns that are being raised about the budget outline from the administration and what the impact on our aid programs would be, especially at a time when we know there is so much humanitarian need in the world.” Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

“I do believe, as David Miliband said last week that American leadership in the world on these [humanitarian] efforts is absolutely critical if we’re going to get other countries to ante up what they need to do in order to contribute.” Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

“I am hopeful that we will maintain the robust humanitarian assistance that the United States has provided over the last many years and that will allow us to maintain a leadership position.” Mr. Gregory Gottlieb

“U.S. leadership is essential to catalyze other donors to give [to the countries facing famine].” Ms. Nancy Lindborg

“We need to build on the important progress that has already been made to make our aid smarter, more effective, and more efficient.” Ms. Nancy Lindborg

“We need to use all our tools: humanitarian assistance, development assistance, diplomacy, and security in a very strategic, selective, systemic, and sustained way to address the drivers of these grave humanitarian crises.” Ms. Nancy Lindborg

“We are aware, as humanitarian [efforts], the limits of what we can do. We will do our best, but there is a diplomatic surge which is needed. There is really a massive diplomatic surge which is needed in these four countries which is needed to end conflict.” Mr. Yves Daccord

“U.S. leadership is absolutely essential for making movement on global problems. We are seeing that over and over again.” Ms. Nancy Lindborg