Overview of Foreign Aid

Foreign Aid is the small section of the International Affairs budget which focuses solely on US assistance to other countries.  These programs are critical to building a safe and secure world by alleviating poverty and strengthening communities.

Currently, these important programs are funded under the International Affairs budget, which accounts for 1.3% of the overall federal budget.  Of that amount, only half (.6%) is spent on poverty-focused development aid.

Check out the publications below to learn more about foreign aid!

• 2011 – Oxfam – Foreign Aid 101
• 2009 – Congressional Research Service -Foreign Aid: An Introduction to U.S. Programs and Policy
• 2007 – CARE – Foreign Aid Fact Sheet