Pressroom & Posts

July 13, 2020 (WASHINGTON) – This statement is delivered on behalf of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) by Co-Chairs Lester Munson, Larry Nowels, and Tessie San Martin. Last week, the House Appropriations Committee passed its Fiscal Year 2021 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations bill. This bill is a significant new investment in American foreign … Continue reading MFAN Applauds House Appropriations Committee Passage of FY21 SFOPS Bill

June 8, 2020 (WASHINGTON) – This statement is delivered on behalf of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) by Co-Chairs Lester Munson, Larry Nowels, and Tessie San Martin. The Modernizing Foreign Assistance is deeply concerned about the proposed withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) and we urge the Trump administration to reverse … Continue reading MFAN Urges Trump Administration to Reverse Course on World Health Organization Withdrawal

On May 26th, MFAN hosted Representative Ted Yoho (R-FL) followed by panelists Jeff Sturchio, CEO of Rabin Martin, Tessie San Martin, CEO of Plan International USA, Lester Munson, Principal at BGR Group, and Larry Nowels to discuss an effective global response to the COVID-19 crisis. Representative Yoho led with remarks on the power of foreign … Continue reading WATCH: Responding to COVID-19 Globally: Policy Recommendations for Effective Foreign Assistance

April 23, 2020 (WASHINGTON) – This statement is delivered on behalf of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) by Co-Chairs Lester Munson, Larry Nowels, and Tessie San Martin. The Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network was pleased to see the State Department’s recent decision to partially resume foreign assistance funding to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, following more than … Continue reading MFAN Hails Reinstatement of U.S. Assistance to Central America, but Joins Call for Study on Lost Resources and Impact

Under the leadership of Administrator Mark Green, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has spent the past three years developing a new vision in its relationship with partner countries: the Journey to Self-Reliance. This refocusing of how the U.S. provides foreign assistance is being implemented through a series of new policies and partnerships. However, … Continue reading To Succeed in its Journey to Self-Reliance Approach with Partner Countries, USAID needs a Civil Society Strategy

March 17, 2020 (WASHINGTON) – This statement is delivered on behalf of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) by Co-Chairs Lester Munson, Larry Nowels, and Tessie San Martin. Yesterday, U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Mark Green announced his departure following two and a half years in the role. Green has led USAID’s Transformation process and spearheaded … Continue reading MFAN Expresses Thanks – and Desire to Carry On Reforms – Following Mark Green Departure Announcement

In a recent column in The Hill, I reflected on the disappointing turn that I witnessed as my organization, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), learned that our project meant to help feed and train people emerging from the Ebola crisis, had been terminated early. The program in Sierra Leone, funded by the U.S. government, was in … Continue reading We’re seeing the effects of budget instability on the ground

 At around 1% of the federal budget, all types of U.S. foreign assistance advance American interests and national security.  While some foreign aid is designed for immediate strategic considerations, U.S. development and humanitarian aid should be free from transactional use. Humanitarian aid should never be diverted for political or strategic purposes or subject to unreasonable cuts … Continue reading Types of Foreign Assistance and American Interests

Congress has a long history of bipartisan support for foreign assistance in developing countries. This assistance has led to lasting positive impacts in the lives of millions of people across the world. Significant evidence shows that such development assistance is most effective when funded at relatively stable levels and for multiple years. In contrast, sharp … Continue reading EVENT: January 15, 2020 – The Importance of Stable Funding Streams for Foreign Aid Effectiveness