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Dear Supporters and Friends of RAIN,
With the abrupt cutoff of US foreign aid, you may be wondering how RAIN is affected. In short, RAIN is not directly affected as it does not receive any governmental funding. Thanks to your steadfast and generous support, RAIN’s programs are operating fully: we are currently working with over 1,800 children and 800 women, supporting healthier lives and greater financial security for more than 4,000 rural and nomadic Nigeriens across 29 communities.
The longer answer is more complicated, but before I go into that, I would like to say a few words about the value of US development and humanitarian assistance.
Prior to joining RAIN, I had the privilege of serving my country with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as did RAIN board member Rebecca Black. With USAID, I was involved in helping Ugandans rebuild their economy, education and health systems after the civil war, slowing the spread of HIV in South Africa, helping communities recover from the devastating Asian tsunami and Pakistan earthquake, containing the spread of the West Africa Ebola outbreak and teaching farmers in the Sahel, including Niger, to grow more drought resistant and nutritious food, reducing their need for humanitarian aid. And so much more.
According to the non-partisan US Global Leadership Coalition, “For less than 1% of the overall federal budget, America’s international development programs remain one of our nation’s greatest returns on investment for protecting our economic interests and stopping threats before they reach our shores. From working alongside our military to fight ISIS in Syria, to preventing the spread of new outbreaks like Ebola, to saving tens of millions of lives from polio and HIV/AIDS, to competing with China for new markets and influence, we cannot cede ground to our rivals.”
I have seen the value of this work in building connections and strengthening alliances at local and national levels. Historically, the US has been a trusted partner that countries turn to in times of crisis (for example, during the COVID pandemic, countries preferred US vaccines to Chinese ones). Once destroyed, trust is hard to regain.
This brings me back to RAIN and the store of trust it has built over more than 20 years. While some in our Nigerien partner communities may not know that RAIN is an American organization, some do, and local government and religious leaders certainly do. Our continued partnership shows that our commitment holds strong. As the US government turns its back on hunger, poverty, and disease, it is more important than ever for us as individuals to act on our personal values by supporting RAIN and other organizations doing similar work.
The US aid freeze will starve NGOs of funding; there will be increased competition for philanthropic dollars and many organizations are already trying to fill the gap with appeals to individuals and foundations. Thanks to you, RAIN had a successful annual appeal. Still, tough times are ahead.
In this time of turmoil for the official American aid agency, the American people still have the opportunity to make a difference - in Niger and around the world.
RAIN will continue to lift up our community partners and we ask you to stand with us.
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