Like many international organizations, Trickle Up was alarmed by the recent news that the Trump Administration has threatened to end foreign assistance to the Northern Triangle countries of Central America — Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Having worked in Guatemala for many years, as well as Honduras in the past, we can attest to the value that organizations like Trickle Up brings to people living in conditions of extreme poverty and isolation. We believe that more and better aid is the answer, not the cessation of aid.
While the vast majority of Trickle Up’s work in Guatemala over the years has not been funded by the US government, we have added our voices to the list of more than 70 international NGOs that urge Congress to continue support for aid in Central America. The following statement was issued by InterAction, the association of US-based development and humanitarian organizations.
By cutting off poverty-alleviating and violence-reducing assistance to the people and civil society organizations of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, the Trump Administration is taking a step that undermines its own policy goals and runs counter to American values and interests. For years, leaders from both parties have supported U.S. development and humanitarian aid to Central America. That is because these relatively small investments address the grinding poverty, instability and human rights concerns at the root of displacement. The current levels of violence and suffering in the Northern Triangle of Central America risk severe further deterioration if development and humanitarian assistance is withdrawn.
Sadly, the unpredictability and volatility that stem from such chaotic policy decisions can erode the effectiveness of foreign assistance. The Administration frequently views U.S. foreign assistance only in transactional terms and not as part of a long-term strategy.
In response to this short-sighted and irresponsible decision, we urge Congress to demonstrate strong bipartisan support for aid to Central America.
For the full list of Interaction member NGOs urging support for Central America, please visit Interaction.org.
