News
US sends questionnaire to screen UN agencies, NGOs for alignment with American interests
View(s):The US government has sent a questionnaire to UN agencies, NGOs and other entities that received US funding, including those in
Sri Lanka, to determine whether the US foreign aid industry is
“aligned with American interests”.
Among the questions asked are:
- Can you confirm that this is not a DEI [diversity, equity, inclusion] project and that there are no DEI elements of that project?
- Can you confirm this is not a climate or “environmental justice” project or include such elements?
- How much does this project directly impact efforts to counter malign influence, including China?
- What impact does this project have on limiting the flow of fentanyl, synthetic drugs, and precursor chemicals into the US?
- Does this project directly impact efforts to strengthen US supply chains or secure rare earth minerals?
- Does this project directly contribute to limiting illegal immigration or strengthening US border security?
Also included are queries like:
- Can you confirm that your organisation does not work with entities associated with communism, socialism, totalitarianism, or any other entity (party) that espouses anti-American beliefs?
- Does this project strengthen US sovereignty by limiting its reliance on international organisations or global governance structures, such as the UN and the WHO?
- Can you confirm that your organisation has not received any funding from the People’s Republic of China (…), Russia, Cuba, or Iran?
UN Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Marc-Andre Franche confirmed that his office, too, had received the questionnaire. “For most partners and contractors, the questionnaires are being filled out corporately and organisation-wide by headquarters,” he said.
The list was met with consternation worldwide. “International cooperation is not charity,” Mr. Franche commented. “While it provides support to people, institutions and governments in need, it serves an essential role in protecting and expanding international public goods like security and health, which benefit everyone, including those people and countries providing the aid.”
He pointed out that, in the last eight decades, international solidarity and the strengthening of the rules-based international order have not only prevented a major war and many conflicts but also allowed an unprecedented period of global prosperity.
“International cooperation and solidarity is needed more than ever if we are to tackle global challenges such as climate change, conflict, poverty and inequality,” he insisted. “Those global challenges require global solutions through cooperation based on respect for those critical rules, starting with the UN Charter.”
This week, it was confirmed that the US has cut US$377 million worth of funding to the UNFPA, leading to potentially “devastating impacts” on women and girls.
Briefing reporters on March 12, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hinted that some of the hard-hit UN agencies may move out of New York.
“We have been investing in Nairobi, creating the conditions for Nairobi to receive services that are now in more expensive locations. UNICEF will be transferring soon some of the functions to Nairobi, and UNFPA will be essentially moving to Nairobi,” he said.
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