Letter to Congress Regarding 2007 Supplemental

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Letter to Congress Regarding 2007 Supplemental and
Reversing Cuts in U.S. Aid to Iraq

March 6, 2007

Dear Members of Congress:

We, the undersigned organizations, represent a broad range of mandates and constituencies. What brings us together is the shared conviction that the U.S. can and should do more to rebuild and stabilize Iraq through increased U.S. support for civil society, peacebuilding, humanitarian relief, and responsible economic development.

The United States can help ease the suffering of Iraqi civilians and help to end the cycle of conflict. Tens of thousands of Iraqis, mostly civilians, and more than 3,000 U.S. service members have lost their lives.

This tragedy is common concern among our organizations and supporters. Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on January 23, Gen. David Petraeus testified: "Some of the members of this committee have observed that there is no military solution to the problems of Iraq. They are correct. Ultimate success in Iraq will be determined by actions in the Iraqi political and economic arenas.” His statement underscores that without economic and political progress, the conflict will only get worse.

Through effective relief and development, the U.S. can help improve the social welfare and security of the Iraqi people. Moreover, economic progress that creates meaningful jobs and opportunities for the people of Iraq can play a pivotal role in ending the conflict.

Therefore, we urgently request that the Supplemental include:

• $290 million to respond to the needs of an estimated 3.7 million Iraqis displaced in and outside their own country, including an estimated 712,000 displaced since the Samarra bombing in February 2006

Critical funding is needed to replenish emergency humanitarian accounts for immediate draw downs. This would support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other humanitarian groups that are helping to assist 1.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) inside Iraq and an additional 2 million Iraqi refugees in nearby states (mostly in Jordan and Syria) as recommended by the Iraq Study Group Report (Recommendation 66). Replenished funds would also help ease the burden on host countries and support the resettlement of the most vulnerable groups, including Iraqis targeted for their affiliation to the U.S.

• $100 million to restore full funding of the Community Action Program (CAP) and the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund (Marla Fund)

Community-driven projects that are conceived and executed by Iraqis have been highly successful, and have not been the target of violence, even when their funding derives from USAID through U.S.-based NGOs. Collectively known as the “Community Action Program” (or CAP), these programs promote stability through the rebuilding of diverse communities by bringing together local stakeholders from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. A January 2005 report issued by the Regional Inspector General for USAID in Baghdad, said CAP achieved 98% of its intended outputs including citizen participation, inter-community cooperation, local government cooperation, local employment generation, and environmental considerations, based upon examination of 89 statistically-representative sites. Recent reports by the U.S. Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) also note CAP’s high level of effectiveness. The Marla Fund, which is administered through CAP, assists Iraqi civilians harmed in the conflict: widows receive small loans and business training; children and orphans receive assistance; bombed homes are restored.

• Funding to reverse the decline in U.S. economic assistance as recommended by the Iraq Study Group Report (Recommendation 64)

Stimulating local economies and tackling soaring unemployment can do far more to stem violence than military operations -- and at a fraction of the cost. For an estimated $100 million, we can support the reactivation of 143 state-owned factories and facilitate the employment of more than 150,000 Iraqis. By applying lessons learned, improving oversight, and engaging international partners as recommended by the Iraq Study Group (Recommendation 65), the effectiveness and efficiency of U.S. development assistance will improve.

• $100 million (additional funding) to support Iraqi civil society, conflict resolution and peacebuilding strategies, and the advancement of human rights and rule of law

Supplemental funding is necessary to continue ongoing USAID programs such as the U.S. NGO managed Iraq Civil Society and Independent Media Program (ICSP) successfully working with more than 1,800 Iraqi civil society organizations active in women’s advocacy, human rights, civic education, anti-corruption and strengthening civil society. At least $10 million of this funding should be granted on a competitive basis, in order to encourage the participation of more U.S. and international NGOs in efforts to provide technical assistance, training, oversight and support for Iraqi NGOs and organizations.

Congress has an opportunity to address the current U.S. funding gap for Iraq-related relief and development. The total funds for these programs represent a small fraction of the President’s $99.6 billion supplemental request, yet will have an enormous impact.

The success of programs like CAP has shown that the U.S. has the ability to help Iraqis stabilize and rebuild communities. Expanding the proven strategies of peacebuilding, humanitarian relief and development is an investment that will pay off, for the U.S. as well as for Iraqis. It’s the right thing to do – and it works.

Sincerely,

Alliance of Baptists

Amnesty International USA

America’s Development Foundation (ADF)

American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)

Call to Action (CTA)

Church of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office

Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC)

Center of Concern

Columban Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Office

Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM)

Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC)