Editor, News-Register:

As an intern at The Borgen Project, a national nonprofit organization that works on making global poverty a focus of U.S. foreign policy, I have been educated on the many benefits of sending aid to developing countries. Not only does it improve the global economy and save millions of lives, but it also advances the U.S.’s own interests, such as national security and job creation. Less than 1 percent of the national budget is spent on foreign aid, compared to a massive 54 percent being spent on the military. So why are we spending so much when it is clear that military force alone is not effective enough in preventing and resolving global conflicts.

Poverty reduction is undoubtedly linked to political stability. It’s common sense; when people are hungry and thirsty, they are more likely to become vexed at their leaders, leading to revolutions, uprisings, and war. Humanitarian efforts in poverty-ridden areas like Afghanistan decrease the influence of terrorist groups. When military effort is complemented by development and diplomacy, political stability and economy are strengthened.

It is time to increase the spending on foreign aid, to prevent another global disaster from happening.

Sophie Morey

Bethany