Interaction Supp Reminder Letter

President & CEO Sam Worthington Chair Charlie MacCormack,

Save the Children Vice Chair Ritu Sharma,

Women’s Edge Coalition Treasurer Amy Coen,

Population Action International

Board of Directors Nancy A. Aossey,

International Medical Corps

Ken Bacon, Refugees International David Beckmann, Bread for the World Carol Bellamy, World Learning Sekyu Chang,

Korean American Sharing Movement Julius Coles, Africare Helene Gayle, CARE Geeta Rao Gupta,

International Center for Research on Women Neal Keny-Guyer, Mercy Corps Lee Hamilton, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Lelei Lelaulu, Counterpart International Lavinia Limon,

Immigration & Refugee Services of America Jo Luck, Heifer International John McCullough, Church World Service Ruth Messinger,

American Jewish World Service

Steve Moseley,

Academy for Educational Development Sarah Newhall, Pact Raymond Offenheiser, Oxfam-America Dan Pellegrom, Pathfinder International Linda Pfeiffer, INMED William Reese,

International Youth Foundation Yolonda Richardson, CEDPA Leonard Rubenstein,

Physicians for Human Rights George Rupp,

International Rescue Committee John Schultz, Christian Children’s Fund Richard Stearns, World Vision

1400 16th St. NW Suite 210 Washington, DC 20036 PHONE: (202) 667-8227 FAX: (202) 667-8236 E-MAIL: [email protected] http://www.interaction.org

March 21, 2007 Dear Representative: I am writing to you on behalf of InterAction’s 165 member organizations, many of which work on the front lines responding to natural and man-made crises around the world. We wish to express our strong support for the passage of funding for the humanitarian programs included in the FY07 Emergency Supplemental bill that the House of Representatives will be considering later this week. The past year has witnessed the development of several unexpected emergencies and the worsening of many crisis situations around the globe. The violence against the people of Darfur has not only continued, but has also spilled over into neighboring countries, triggering humanitarian emergencies in eastern Chad and the Central African Republic. Unexpected crises have occurred in Somalia and Lebanon. One of the largest human displacement situations in the world is developing in Iraq and surrounding countries. Meanwhile, dire humanitarian needs in several continuing humanitarian situations— including in Northern Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cote D’Ivoire – remain unchanged. Our response to these crises will require more funding than was provided in regular FY07 appropriations. Without additional funding, our government’s resources will inevitably be stretched too thin and resources will be diverted from continuing, but no less dire, emergencies to new ones. The provision of supplemental funding is critical to ensuring that the needs of the displaced and hungry are met and that the United States continues to be a leader in responding to the needs of people during their darkest hour. We therefore urge your support for the FY07 supplemental funds included in the bill for several key accounts: International Disaster and Famine Assistance, Migration and Refugee Assistance, Emergency Migration and Refugee Assistance, P.L. 480 Title II Food Assistance, Contributions to International Peacekeeping, Peacekeeping Operations and Child Survival and Health. These accounts and the activities that they fund are the primary tools that provide the basic life necessities and protection for conflict and disaster-affected people around the world. As the debate rages about more controversial elements in the supplemental appropriations bill, we ask that you remember these vital, uncontroversial humanitarian provisions, and we respectfully appeal for your support for their passage. Thank you very much for your consideration. Sincerely,

Sam Worthington President and CEO InterAction 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.