The FY21 SFOPS bill released today is a strong step in maintaining funding levels for our nation’s development and diplomacy programs, but Senator Leahy is right in recognizing the legislation must also include urgent funds to deal with the COVID-19 emergency, as was included in the House version. Fighting a global pandemic requires a global response, especially as the growing crisis overseas impacts America’s health, safety and economic recovery – from rising conflicts throughout sub-Saharan Africa to projections of the number of individuals on the brink of starvation to global vaccinations for children dropping to levels not seen since the ‘90s.

As negotiations continue, we urge Congress to provide no less than $20 billion in emergency funding for a global response that supports essential global health programs, such as GAVI, the Global Fund, and CEPI, the international economic and humanitarian response, and frontline operations for U.S. civilian agencies overseas. If we fail to stop the virus and the follow-on crises it leaves in its wake – from hunger to conflict to disease – the virus and its impacts will be right back at our doorsteps.