Now that Barack Obama has secured the top leadership position in the United States, a reappraisal of our country’s humanitarian efforts is necessary for the future of developing nations worldwide. As little doubt remains about the negative effects of growing populations – particularly those in the Third World – on the environment, this country has an obligation to provide any possible aid to slow their rising numbers.
Two years into office, President Bush discontinued the U.S.’s funding of the United Nations Population Fund in 2002. His reasoning: The agency’s non-segregated contribution of financial aid to all developing nations included China, whose notorious one-child policy was seen by Bush as a debaser of his conservatively-fueled political agenda and human rights. Despite several inspections conducted by the United Nations, which found no evidence of China’s government forcing its citizens into unwilling abortions, Bush continued to appropriate the UNFPA’s annual $34 million in aid. Accordingly, during the past six years, the U.S. has withheld $161 million dollars from all Third World populations.
Our government is the only agency in history to retain UNFPA funding for reasons that are not financially based. Meanwhile, families in Africa and India continue to birth as many children as possible, heedless of their diminishing quantities of potable water, agricultural output, employment opportunities and health care. In Niger, the average mother bears 7.1 children. Only 5 percent of couples nationwide use contraceptives. Additionally, more than half a billion hectares of its continent’s crops are now spoiled from rising temperatures and its average annual rainfall is predicted to drop by 50 percent in the next decade. Simply put, more mouths scrambling over less food will soon become a horrific standard and the U.S. is doing little to help.
This is not an isolated circumstance. Nearly half of Earth’s societies teeter on the brink of an overpopulation crisis. While certain analysts now argue that any form of help will be too little and too late, the U.S. must step up to its moral obligations by making as much of a positive impact as possible in the Third World. Proper education regarding family planning, which would include a widespread knowledge of both contraceptives and abortion, is essential to mediate population increases. In addition, $34 million annually could go a long way in pioneering sustainable urban planning, a necessary endeavor in guaranteeing that at least some people will have sufficient food, water and shelter to survive the next decade.
Electing Barack Obama was the first step in reintroducing the U.S. to such long-forgotten humanitarianism. The Democratic majority in Congress is reportedly certain that Bush’s past decisions will be amended, though there’s no telling how much damage has been caused during the past six years that could have been avoided. While our government readjusts, advocates for Third World support can visit www.americansforunfpa.org. Though the site concentrates mostly on the UNFPA’s dedication to improving the lives of women worldwide, its members are devoted to progress of any kind. Such passion for humanity is remarkable and it’s time we all realize that to lead, to share and to inspire is a distinctly American set of traits. Our role is essential; it must no longer be avoided.
AJ Evert
University Junior
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