President

May 10, 2007

Samuel A. Worthington

Chair The Honorable Nita M. Lowey

Charles MacCormack Chairwoman, State, Foreign Operations and
Save the Children
Related Programs
Vice Chair
Ritu Sharma Fox
U.S. House of Representatives
Women’s Edge Washington, D.c.20015
Treasurer
Amy Coen
Dear Chairwoman Lowey:
Population Action International;

On behalf of InterAction and its 160 member humanitarian and

Board of Directors international development organizations, I am writing to express our
Nancy A. Aossey
International Medical Corps community's concern about the President's proposed cut to USAID's
Kenneth H Bacon, Refugees International operating expenses (OE) in FY08 from FY07 levels, including the
Rev. David Beckmann, Bread for the World
Carol Bellamy, World Learning proposed closing of field missions.
Sekyu Chang,
Korean American Sharing Movement
Julius Coles, Africare I applaud the Office of the Director of Foreign Assistance’s efforts to
Helene Gayle, CARE USA bring more coherence, transparency and accountability to U.S. foreign
Ann Goddard, Christian Children’s Fund
Lee Hamilton, Woodrow Wilson assistance programs. Yet I am concerned this proposed cut in OE will
International Center for Scholars
Khalil Jassemm
substantially undermine the agency's already declining technical
Life for Relief and Development expertise, and its ability to effectively carry out development assistance
Neal Keny-Guyer, Mercy Corps
Elizabeth Latham. US Committee for UNDP programs.
Lelei Lelaulu, Counterpart International
Jo Luck, Heifer International
John L. McCullough, Church World Service The administration proposes cuts from FY07 levels in Operating
Stephen F. Moseley Expenses, particularly in the field. This reduction in Overseas Operations
Academy for Educational Development
Daniel E. Pellegrom, Pathfinder International of the OE, from $418 million (FY07) to $339 million (FY08), could
Linda Pfeiffer, INMED
Robert Radtke
contribute to the continued diminishing of technical expertise at USAID
Episcopal Relief and Development missions which in turn diminishes the quality of field input in
Yolonda Richardson, CEDPA
George Rupp program design and implementation Of that amount the
International Rescue Committee
Zainab Salbi
administration has proposed a cut in operating budgets for "Field
Women for Women Internantional Missions" in FY08, from $301 million to $206 million. The latter
Ron Sconyers
Physicians for Peace proposed cut seems to reflect the "F" Bureau's plan to replace
Richard Stearns, World Vision missions with a combination of regional platforms and “development
Kathy Spahn, Helen Keller International
Tsehaye Teferra attaches” in some countries. There has been no serious consultation with
Ethiopian Community Development Council
our community on the rationale or impact of this plan. Our community
is therefore concerned also about the possible negative impact of the
1400 16th. St. NW administration’s proposed cut in "Field Missions" on the agency's ability
Suite 210 to effectively deliver foreign assistance
Washington, DC 20036
PHONE: (202) 667-8227
FAX: (202) 667-8236 Accordingly, I urge your committee to maintain, at a minimum, the FY07
E-MAIL: ia@interaction.org levels for OE for Overseas Operations of $418 million, including
http://www.interaction.org
the FY06 levels (higher than the FY07 estimated levels) for field
Printed on recycled paper

Interaction is a membership association of US private voluntary organizations engaged in international humanitarian efforts including
relief, development, refugee assistance, environment, population, public policy, and global education.
missions, until the F Bureau can provide adequate rationale and justification on this proposed
reduction.
I and other members of the InterAction community would be happy to further discuss the above
concerns at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Samuel A. Worthington
CEO and President, InterAction