The Global Fragility Act (GFA) was successfully signed into law last year, paving the way for the Global Fragility Strategy (GFS.) The GFS will be the first-ever whole-of-government plan to prevent or reduce conflict in at least five fragile contexts over a 10-year period. To support implementation of the GFS, the GFA authorized the Complex Crises Fund, the Prevention and Stabilization Fund, and the Multi-Donor Global Fragility Fund. The House already passed their funding bill related to GFS but the Senate hasn’t. Here’s where you come in. Sign the letter to your senator below to request the full funding ask for the GFS.
Dear Senator,
As an organization that works to end violence and mass atrocities in Sudan, South Sudan, DRC and Burma, we know all too well the devastating toll that growing violence takes on communities. 79.5 million people have fled violence and conflict globally. Over 550,000 civilians die every year due to violence and conflict. To reverse these alarming trends in conflict and displacement around the globe, Congress passed the Global Fragility Act of 2019 (GFA). The GFA was signed into law on December 20, 2019 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. This was welcome news as we look at the numbers. By the end of 2019, 79.5 million people were forcibly displaced due to violence, an increase of almost 10 million from the end of 2018, according to the UNHCR. The economic ramifications of violence are striking. But by ensuring that US foreign policy and assistance prioritizes prevention this can change. For every $1 spent on peacebuilding and conflict prevention, $16 could be saved in conflict response according to predictions in the report, “Measuring Peacebuilding Cost-Effectiveness.”
When it passed, the Global Fragility Act authorized the Complex Crises Fund and the Prevention and Stabilization Fund for the first time. Now it is time for Congress to make sure there is adequate funding for these accounts. These include the Complex Crises Fund, the Prevention and Stabilization Fund, and the Multi-Donor Global Fragility Fund.
We respectfully request that you support the following funding in the State Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act of FY2021.
$50 million each year for the Complex Crises Fund, an account that allows USAID to respond quickly and flexibly to violence and crises.
$200 million each year for the Prevention and Stabilization Fund, an account that allows the State Department and USAID to support stabilization of conflict affected areas and counter global fragility, including through the Global Fragility Strategy, as well as to provide assistance to areas liberated or at risk from or under the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or other terrorist organizations, or violent extremist organizations.
$25 million for the Multi-Donor Global Fragility Fund, an account that allows the State Department to leverage, receive, coordinate, and program funds provided by other donors and private sector partners to carry out the purposes of the Global Fragility Strategy to increase partners’ contributions as well as to enhance donor coordination.
Authorizing sufficient support for the three funds will enable the GFA to fulfill its promise to address root causes of conflict inclusively, adaptively, and collaboratively.
Thank you,