1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Since its inception, USAID had constituted an important part of what’s known as ‘soft power’, strengthening US influence through humanitarian aid, economic partnerships and institutional development. By fostering goodwill, the agency bolstered diplomatic relationships, promoted political and economic models favorable to US interests, and worked to mitigate instability in many countries. Without it, we’re just storing up crisis after crisis: 1. Supporting a poor country’s health system prevents a disruptive pandemic. 2. Staving off government collapse prevents a failed state exporting crime and violence. 3. Helping countries adapt to climate change avoids migration crises. The triple health, crime and violence, and migration crises can be prevented. It is for this reason we urge you, in the strongest possible terms to restore USAID as soon as practicable. Congress can force the Cabinet to do this. This global instability can be stopped. Otherwise, what are we as a nation? Thank you for your attention to this critical matter of global stability.