Government Shutdown and Rescission of Foreign Assistance Puts Children at Risk

Save the Children and Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) expressed deep concern about the U.S. government shutdown and the rescission of approximately $4.9 billion in U.S. international assistance funding. Both actions threaten children’s futures, in America and around the world.

In the United States, the shutdown jeopardizes programs families count on, such as those for nutrition, child care and early learning. If the shutdown persists, millions of children could lose access to healthy food through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program and after-school programs funded through Child Care Development Block Grants, among other critical programs and services for kids and families. These programs are lifelines for children to grow up healthy, nourished and ready to learn. Across the country, families already struggling with child care costs and limited access to early education face even greater uncertainty.

Globally, the rescission of foreign assistance funding eliminates long-term investments designed to help children and their families become self-sufficient. These investments help to provide clean water, food and protection for children in desperate need while advancing peace and economic opportunity abroad. This marks the second round of rescissions targeting foreign assistance. While humanitarian aid was largely spared this time, the previous rescissions package passed in July included $1.3 billion in cuts to lifesaving humanitarian assistance funding. Without the programs and services that could have been funded, families are more likely to remain dependent on aid, communities will face greater instability and children will be at even greater risk of violence, exploitation and abuse.

“Children should never bear the brunt when leaders fail to act,” SCAN Executive Director Christy Gleason said. “A government shutdown puts kids at risk, whether by stalling programs that feed children here at home or rescinding funding that supports them overseas. The result is the same: Children, and our nation, lose their chance to thrive. Investing in kids is investing in America’s future. Now more than ever, we must put children first"

“U.S. leadership in protecting children has always been about more than immediate relief,” said Allison Dembeck, Head of Policy at Save the Children. “It has been about safety, security and opportunity. The current shutdown, coupled with the loss of foreign assistance, jeopardizes achieving those goals and weakens our ability to deliver for children at home and abroad.”

Save the Children and SCAN urge policymakers to reopen the federal government and prioritize children in every decision, from ensuring domestic safety nets remain intact to restoring investments in international development and ensuring that every child affected by conflict or disaster is able to survive and thrive. The wellbeing of children must come before politics. When we invest in kids, we invest in a stronger, more stable and more secure future for everyone.

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we’ve been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that Save the Children is a charity you can trust.