AfP Hails the Global Fragility Act, a Bipartisan Game Changer in Preventing and Reducing Violent Conflict
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2020
CONTACT
(202) 822-2047
Liz Hume | lhume@allianceforpeacebuilding.org
Washington, D.C., USA. – The Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP) commended the 46 bipartisan Congressional co-sponsors of the Global Fragility Act (GFA) which was passed by Congress as part of the 2020 Consolidated Appropriations Act and signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2019. Congressional and White House approval of this bill represents a historic victory for the peacebuilding field, which has long advocated for the GFA as a game-changing way forward to prevent and reduce violent conflict. The GFA will create the first-ever comprehensive U.S. government strategy to tackle and prevent spiraling global conflict.
AfP President and CEO Uzra Zeya noted, “The Alliance for Peacebuilding looks forward to working with the U.S. Administration, the U.S. Congress, and civil society partners to ensure meaningful GFA implementation, rooted in evidence and local leadership. The GFA is proof of a growing bipartisan consensus for elevating peaceful prevention in U.S. foreign policy and assistance, and signals that the status quo and securitized approaches of the last two decades have not delivered and need a reboot.”
An ongoing, 30-year peak in wars and violence has triggered the worst displacement and refugee crisis ever recorded, displacing more than 70 million people. Just fifteen years ago, approximately 80% of humanitarian aid went to helping the victims of natural disasters, but today that ratio is reversed, with 80% of aid going to meet the needs of victims of violent conflict. Violent conflict also fuels violent extremism and remains the primary driver of terrorism, with over 95% of deaths from terrorism occurring in countries already in conflict. When combined with countries with high levels of political terror, the number jumps to over 99%. By addressing the drivers of violent conflict and taking a sustained, whole of government approach, the GFA can help prevent conflict from occurring or spreading in fragile states, obviating the need for costly military interventions and saving lives and taxpayer dollars.
What the GFA Accomplishes:
Focuses U.S. foreign assistance on preventing violence and conflict in fragile countries;
Saves U.S. taxpayers money by addressing the prevention and the causes of violent conflict rather than the costlier approach of containing it;
Increases transparency and accountability by mandating biennial reports to Congress and the American people;
Strengthens research to identify the foreign assistance programs and diplomatic approaches that are most effective at preventing violence and conflict;
Dedicates $1.15 billion over the next five years for conflict prevention and peacebuilding in countries at risk of violence and conflict.
Passing this legislation took determination and collaboration from Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle. We applaud the bi-partisan leadership of the Global Fragility Act’s lead sponsors, Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), as well as Representatives Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Michael McCaul (R-TX), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Other original co-sponsors of the legislation include Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Todd Young (R-IN) and Representatives Bill Keating (D-MA), Francis Rooney (R-FL), Adam Smith (D-WA) and Ann Wagner (R-MO). A bipartisan group of 26 Senators and 20 Representatives co-sponsored the bill, and their support was key to the Global Fragility Act’s success.
The Alliance for Peacebuilding and Mercy Corps co-lead a non-partisan coalition of 67 peacebuilding and development organizations that are dedicated to the passage and successful implementation of the GFA. The GFA Coalition is committed to ensuring successful implementation in 2020 and will work closely with both Congress and the Administration.
Global Fragility Act Coalition
Alliance for Peacebuilding
American Friends Service Committee
American Jewish World Service
The Borgen Project
CARE
Carl Wilkens Fellows
Catholic Relief Services
CDA Collaborative Learning
Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)
Center on Conscience & War
Charity & Security Network
Chemonics
Church of the Brethren, Office of Public Witness
Conciliation Resources
Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, US Provinces
Cure Violence
Educators’ Institute for Human Rights
The Episcopal Church
Food for the Hungry
Foreign Policy 4 America
Franciscan Action Network
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
Futures Without Violence
Generations for Peace
Global Communities
Global Water 2020
Grace Initiative Global
The HALO Trust USA
Humanity United Action
i-ACT
In Defense of Christians
Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy
InterAction
International Alert
International Civil Society Action Network
International Crisis Group (ICG)
International Medical Corps
International Rescue Committee
Jewish World Watch
Karuna Center for Peacebuilding
Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Mercy Corps
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
National Latino Evangelical Coalition
Never Again Coalition
Nuru International
ONE Campaign
Pax Christi International
Pax Christi USA
Peace Direct
Presbyterian Church (USA)
PRBB Foundation
Saferworld
Save the Children
Search for Common Ground
ShelterBox
STAND
Stop Genocide Now
United Church of Christ
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Women for Afghan Women
World Learning / School for International Training
World Relief
World Vision
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With over 110 member organizations, AfP brings together the largest development organizations, most innovative academic institutions, and influential humanitarian and faith-based groups to harness collective action for peace. We build coalitions in key areas of strategy and policy to elevate the entire peacebuilding field, tackling issues too large for any one organization to address alone.