SAVE THE CHILDREN: Funding Agreement Could Set Dangerous Precedent for Children in Need of Humanitarian Assistance

Washington, D.C. (March 22, 2024) – Christy Gleason, Vice President of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns at Save the Children, issued the following statement in response to the fiscal 2024 funding agreement approved by the House of Representatives today:

“Save the Children applauds congressional lawmakers for taking steps to increase U.S. humanitarian assistance. While children facing humanitarian crisis need this funding and more, we are concerned that these increases came with cuts to the long-term development assistance that can prevent future humanitarian crisis. We are also concerned by language in the bill that puts new bureaucratic requirements on humanitarian assistance, despite the robust oversight mechanisms already in place. We urge Congress to avoid adding bureaucratic obstacles to the timely obligation of humanitarian assistance. Any delays in humanitarian assistance puts children’s lives at risk.

“Suspending funding for UNRWA is a mistake. UNRWA is irreplaceable and depriving it of critical funding risks the complete collapse of any semblance of a humanitarian response in Gaza and across the region. We have repeatedly urged the U.S. government to use all of its leverage to facilitate humanitarian aid, not create additional barriers to its delivery. We implore Congress and the White House to do all in its power to streamline critical humanitarian assistance across existing land crossings and re-establish essential services to save children’s lives.”

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