April 2025 Newsletter

Issue #98

The U.S. Agency for International Development, known as USAID, was formed in 1961 during the Cold War.

Wikipedia

More than 20 federal agencies that fund foreign assistance activities report their aid to USAID and the Department of State.

Foreign Assistance.gov

Over 4.78 billion people have been helped by U.S. foreign aid. In some cases, U.S. foreign aid has helped people over a span of 60 years.

Global Citizen

In 2023, the U.S. budgeted about $68.2 billion in foreign aid.

Foreign Assistance.gov

This is about 1% of the $6.8 trillion U.S.

federal budget.

Office of Management and Budget

Foreign aid amounts over the past 5 years:

2019 – $57 billion

2020 – $60.3 billion

2021 – $58.8 billion

2022 – $79.5 billion

2023 – $68.1 billion

Foreign Assistance.gov

American foreign aid peaked in 1963, at about 4.7% of the federal budget.

Office of Management and Budget 

Americans think foreign aid constitutes 26% of the federal budget on average. 

Kaiser Family Foundation

These are the largest 5 agencies of the U.S. government based on percentage of the budget:

1. Department of Health and Human Services- 25.4%

2. Social Security Administration - 22.4%

3. Department of the Treasury - 19.5%

4. Department of Defense - 13.5%

5. Department of Veterans Affairs - 4.8%

USAFacts

The U.S. provides more assistance than any other country, but a smaller proportion of its Gross National Product (GNP) than most other wealthy nations. The United Nations has set a target of 0.7% of each country's GNP for foreign aid but the U.S. provides about 0.25% of its GNP

(around $27 trillion).

Finance Yahoo

Sweden, Norway, Luxembourg, and Denmark have historically met (or exceeded) the 0.7% target. 

Finance Yahoo

Per capita, the U.S. ranks 16th in the world in foreign aid compared to other countries. From 2018-2022, the top 5 countries were: 

1. Luxembourg -- $827

2.Norway -- $810

3. Sweden -- $572

4.Denmark -- $471

5. Switzerland -- $415

Finance Yahoo.com

Foreign aid provides funding for over 18,000 activities in 205 countries/regions

Foreign Assistance.gov

What U.S. Foreign Aid Money is Used for:

Economic Development 27%

Health 22%

Humanitarian Assistance 21.7%

Peace & Security 14.2%

Multi-Sector 4%

Program Support 3.6%

Democracy, Human Rights & Governance 3.2%

Education & Social Services 2%

Environment 1.9%

Pew Research Center

Assistance Provided by Foreign Aid

Water and Sanitation: 24.2 million people

Food and Hunger: 3 billion people 

Education: 54 million people

Global Health: 1 billion people

Global Citizen

The top 5 countries receiving US. aid in 2023:

1. Ukraine -- $17.2 billion

2. Israel -- $3.3 billion

3. Jordan -- $1.7 billion

4. Egypt -- $1.5 billion

5. Ethiopia -- $1.5 billion

U.S. Department of State

For more on the U.S. Budget, click here.

Are We Running Out of Clean Water?

A short TED Ed animation that looks at the fact that despite water covering 71% of the planet's surface, more than half the world's population endures extreme water scarcity for at least one month a year. Also looks at estimates that predict that by 2040, up to 20 more countries could be experiencing water shortages. Provides insights at why this is happening and what can be done about it. Watch now.

 For more on Water Access, click here.

Green Saints for a Green Generation

Edited by by Libby Osgood. A collection young scientists, sisters, and theologians of the “green generation” who reflect on “saints” who offer hope and inspire us towards ecological action. The writers include a wide range of figures, from the traditional, such as Sts. Clare of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola, and Marguerite Bourgeoys, to contemporary figures like Thomas Merton, author Toni Morrison, and the Martyrs of the Amazon. By connecting these key figures to environmental responsibility, the contributors encourage readers to become active, inviting younger generations to join the ecological movement, to take on the responsibility from their elders, and to shoulder the ecological burden for themselves. Read more.

For more on the Environment, click here.

Ecological Moral Character:

A Catholic Model

By Nancy M. Rourke. Creates an ecological model through which we can form images of moral character. Integrates concepts of ecology with Aquinas' vision and describes the dynamics of a moral character in terms of the processes and functions that take place in an ecosystem. Also describes the virtues, the passions, the will, and the intellect in terms of this model. Asks readers to choose the models we use to imagine moral character and offers this ecological virtue model as a vital framework for a period of environmental crisis.

Read more.

For more on the Environment, click here.

How to Feed the World:

The History and Future of Food

By Vaclav Smil. An analysis of how the world produces and consumes its food—and a scientist's exploration of how we can successfully feed a growing population without killing the planet. Investigates many of the questions facing the world today: Why are some of the world’s biggest food producers also the countries with the most undernourished populations? Why do we waste so much food and how can we solve that? Could the whole planet go vegan and be healthy? Explores the global history of food production to understand why we farm some animals and not others, why most of the world’s calories come from just a few foodstuffs, and how this might change in the future. A data-based, rigorously researched guide that offers solutions to our broken global food system.

Read more.

For more on Hunger, click here.

How the World Eats:

A Global Food Philosophy

By Julian Baggini. An exploration of how we grow, make, buy and eat our food around the world—and a proposal for a global philosophy of food. Delves into the best and worst food practices in a huge array of different societies, past and present. Examines cutting-edge technologies, such as new farming methods, cultured meat, genetically modified and astronaut food, to the ethics and health of ultra processed food and aquaculture, as well as the effectiveness of our food governance, the difficulties of food wastage and the effects of commodification. Calls for a pluralistic, humane, resourceful and equitable global food philosophy that will guide us towards a food system fit for the twenty-first century and beyond. Read more.

For more on Hunger, click here.

Can You Be a Catholic and a Feminist?

By Julie Hanlon Rubio. Addresses the questions "Is it possible to be both a faithful Catholic and an avowed feminist? and if so, "Can Catholic feminism survive?" Argues that it can, but to do so, it is necessary to rethink how women and men who experience the pull of feminism and Catholicism can credibly claim both identities. Argues that Catholic feminist identity is only tenable if we frankly acknowledge tensions between Catholicism and feminism, bring forward shared concerns, and embrace the future with ambiguity and creativity. Explores the potential for synergy and dialogue between Catholics and feminists through various lenses, including sexual violence, gender theory, pregnancy and pre-natal loss, work-life balance, relationships and family life, spirituality, conscience, and what it means to be human. Read more.

For more on Gender Inequality, click here.

Can the Economy Grow Forever?

A short TED Ed animation that asks if infinite growth possible on a finite planet and explores how economies can balance efficiency with sustainability. Watch now.

For more on Economic Justice, click here.

The Plunder of Black America: How the Racial Wealth Gap Was Made 

By Calvin Schermerhorn. Details the history of the racial wealth gap in America told through the stories of seven Black families who struggled to build wealth over multiple generations. Their struggles reveal that the ever-evolving strategies to strip Black income and wealth have been critical to sustaining a structure of racialized disadvantage. These accounts also tell of the quiet heroism of those who worked to overcome obstacles and defy the plunder. Shows that we cannot reckon with today’s racial wealth inequality without understanding its unrelenting role in American history. Read more.

For more on Racism, click here.

Bring Back Your People: Ten Ways Regular Folks Can Put a Dent in White

Christian Nationalism

By Aaron Scott, a second-generation preacher, third-generation organizer, and leader with the Poor People's Campaign. Offers a practical guide to resisting, organizing, and holding conversations with anyone who has been misled by White Christian nationalist ideas. Offers ten ways readers can draw others toward a better vision of faith, politics, and our common life. Answers questions like. "Who are White Christian nationalists targeting?" and "Why is it gaining steam so fast"? Along the way, it introduces a counter-history of White people organizing for real justice, and even what abolitionist John Brown can offer us today. Read more.

For more on Racism, click here.

Your Brain on Altruism: The Power of Connection and Community

during Times of Crisis

By Nicole Karlis. In an era when "self-care" often revolves around consumption and profit, a health and science journalist emphasizes the genuine health advantages of a culture of caring. Shows how helping others can enhance our physical and mental well-being, boost resilience, and nurture a sense of fulfillment and connection beyond crises. Delves into the science behind generosity and the benefits of fostering a culture of care for our health. Explores cutting-edge research on the sociology and psychology of altruism, revealing how acts of kindness during crises—such as COVID-19, natural disasters, and wars—inspire people to set aside differences and help one another. Through interviews with innovators creating infrastructures for social connection, shows how we all can contribute to cultivating kindness. Urges readers to see taking care of one another as a social strength. By embracing this mindset and viewing ourselves as stewards of kindness, we can combat the epidemic of loneliness and build a more compassionate and resilient society. Read more.

For more Volunteering and Service resources,

click here.

A Fresh Approach to Resolving Conflicts

A TED Talk, featuring Darya Shaikh, who says that conflict is an unavoidable part of any relationship and that the point isn't to win but an opportunity to grow. She presents a framework for managing conflicts, showing how we can navigate complex conversations and identify pathways for mutual progress despite differences. Watch now.

For more Peace resources, click here.

The Tears of Things:

Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage

By Richard Rohr OFM. Offers a hope-filled model for the world, grounded in the wisdom of the Hebrew prophets. Looks at how can we live compassionately in a time of violence and despair and what we can do with our disappointments and the anger we feel in such an unjust world. Turning to the writings of the Jewish prophets, reveals how they can offer a crucial path forward, using “sacred criticism”—a distinct approach to confronting evil and injustice that acknowledges the wholeness of history, the interconnectedness of every living being, and the reality of a divine and universal love. Read more.

For more Justice resources, click here.

An Ethicist's Guide to Living a Good Life

A TED Talk, featuring an interview of ethicist and rabbi Ira Bedzow, who talks about how we put our values into action and navigate life with a sense of meaning and direction. He discusses the possibility that we may have more than one purpose, how to define success on our own terms, and the role of community in a fulfilling life. Watch now. 

For more Justice resources, click here.

Human Dignity and Liberal Politics: Catholic Possibilities for the Common Good

By Patrick Riordan SJ. An examination of the “common good,” reconciling Catholic social thought with secular politics and philosophy. Clarifies the meaning of the common good through Aristotelian practical philosophy, twentieth-century Catholic social thought, and political liberalism. Makes the case that embracing the common good does not entail a rejection of liberalism, but that a commitment to liberal politics is compatible with faithful adherence to the Catholic tradition. Argues that liberal political philosophy is not only compatible with Catholic social teaching but may also be the most appropriate framework for communicating the richness of the Church’s tradition. Furthermore, accepting political liberalism can facilitate collaboration in political life between those who hold different worldviews and foster an enriched discussion of democracy, human rights, and religious liberty. Read more.

For more Catholic Social Teaching resources,

click here.

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