Guess who’s blocking COVID-19 aid?
Overseas supporters scroll down to sign this petition:
Never before has our interconnectedness been so clear as now during the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 knows no borders and countries with already fragile or decimated economies and health care systems are facing dire crises. The global death toll for this disease is quickly approaching 600,000 lives. The economic consequences have yet to be measured, but much of the developing world is expected to go into deep recessions. It is no exaggeration to warn of an impending global economic collapse.
The good news is that there is a no-cost response that could save lives and boost the global economy, and all it requires is action from the U.S. Congress. They must vote to authorize the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to release Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), a financial tool that would provide billions in aid to countries during this critical time.
H.R. 6581 and S. 4139 would instruct the U.S. representative at the IMF to vote in favor of issuing trillions of dollars in SDRs. The IMF cannot take action without the U.S. representative’s vote.
Issuing SDRs would cost U.S. taxpayers absolutely nothing. It is the very definition of low-hanging fruit and would be a clear demonstration of U.S.global leadership during the pandemic. It would help the global economy recover, which would ultimately protect companies and workers around the world. SDRs played an important role in reducing unemployment and poverty following the 2009 financial crisis, they can play a similar role today under circumstances that are much more dire.
Most importantly, authorizing the issuance of SDRs will save thousands of lives around the world and will contribute to the pandemic ending sooner. This measure has wide support both at home and abroad. Domestically, 85 organizations support issuing SDRs, including CODEPINK, Amnesty International USA, Bread for the World, CARE, Church World Service, InterAction, International Rescue Committee USA, Jubilee USA Network, Mercy Corps, ONE, Presbyterian Church (USA), Save the Children US, Union for Reform Judaism, and the United Methodist Church — General Board of Church and Society. Internationally,the UN Secretary General, the IMF Managing director and countries including France, Germany, others in the EU and dozens from Africa, Asia and Latin America support SDRs.
The U.S. Congress must show the world that the United States is ready to lead in the fight against COVID-19.
Overseas supporters scroll down to sign this petition:
Never before has our interconnectedness been so clear as now during the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 knows no borders and countries with already fragile or decimated economies and health care systems are facing dire crises. The global death toll for this disease is quickly approaching 600,000 lives. The economic consequences have yet to be measured, but much of the developing world is expected to go into deep recessions. It is no exaggeration to warn of an impending global economic collapse.
The good news is that there is a no-cost response that could save lives and boost the global economy, and all it requires is action from the U.S. Congress. They must vote to authorize the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to release Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), a financial tool that would provide billions in aid to countries during this critical time.
H.R. 6581 and S. 4139 would instruct the U.S. representative at the IMF to vote in favor of issuing trillions of dollars in SDRs. The IMF cannot take action without the U.S. representative’s vote.
Issuing SDRs would cost U.S. taxpayers absolutely nothing. It is the very definition of low-hanging fruit and would be a clear demonstration of U.S.global leadership during the pandemic. It would help the global economy recover, which would ultimately protect companies and workers around the world. SDRs played an important role in reducing unemployment and poverty following the 2009 financial crisis, they can play a similar role today under circumstances that are much more dire.
Most importantly, authorizing the issuance of SDRs will save thousands of lives around the world and will contribute to the pandemic ending sooner. This measure has wide support both at home and abroad. Domestically, 85 organizations support issuing SDRs, including CODEPINK, Amnesty International USA, Bread for the World, CARE, Church World Service, InterAction, International Rescue Committee USA, Jubilee USA Network, Mercy Corps, ONE, Presbyterian Church (USA), Save the Children US, Union for Reform Judaism, and the United Methodist Church — General Board of Church and Society. Internationally,the UN Secretary General, the IMF Managing director and countries including France, Germany, others in the EU and dozens from Africa, Asia and Latin America support SDRs.
The U.S. Congress must show the world that the United States is ready to lead in the fight against COVID-19.