To prevent and stop the global economy from further collapsing, as was the case in 2008, to protect further losses of U.S. jobs, and to save lives the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) is asking the Senate to support the issuance of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The SDRs are special bonds to member nations and SDRs do not cost the U.S. anything. We are also asking for debt relief and additional foreign aid to respond to humanitarian crises and COVID-19 related challenges.
On July 9, 2020 a bipartisan group of thirty-one Senators sent a letter to their leaders saying “Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer, The global outbreak of COVID-19 has demonstrated that threats from infectious diseases know no borders and reinforced the harsh reality that as long as this pandemic is spreading anywhere in the world, Americans are also vulnerable. As the Senate considers the next phase of emergency funding to address the threat caused by this pandemic, we write to strongly support significant U.S. investment in the international response.” The Senators further argued that “it is clear that no matter how successful we are at fighting COVID-19 here at home, we will never stop its spread – or prevent it from rebounding back to our shores – if we are not also fighting it around the world. U.S. global leadership in combating COVID-19 is directly tied to protecting the health, security, and economic interests of all Americans.” In the days, weeks and months ahead, can we get our country to join if not to lead a global response to COVID-19?
AFJN and 16 other organizations already sent letters to members of the Senate asking them to support global response legislation. To read the letter and see the signing organizations, click here.
Thank you for speaking out!
There is Urgent Need to Act Now:
- International Monetary Fund projects 5% decline in global growth for 2020
- United Nations reports indicate 10,000 children per month die of COVID-19 related starvation and half-a-billion people could be pushed into poverty if left unchecked
Tell the Senate to Support:
- Issuance of IMF SDRs
- Debt Relief
- Foreign Aid