Trump admin allocates $2 billion from State Dept for faith-based humanitarian programs

The Trump administration has announced a historic $2 billion in funding to faith-based organizations focusing on humanitarian and health assistance. The move is the largest allocation of global health foreign assistance to faith-based organizations in over 20 years.

The allocation of the funding underscores what the State Department called "The Trump Administration’s commitment to partnering with organizations that demonstrate faith in action and have proven their ability to deliver health and humanitarian assistance in the world’s most difficult environments."

The largest portion of the funding, $1.4 billion, will go to some 2,500 faith-based hospitals and clinics to train and pay 30,000 health workers. The funding will be going to the different organizations across 20 different countries.

Additionally, $570 million will be going to faith-based and community hospitals via memorandums of understanding signed with country governments.

"In many of the countries where the United States provides foreign assistance, faith-based healthcare providers represent 40% or more of all health facilities. By leveraging faith-based and community-run hospitals and clinics, the Department of State is strengthening health service delivery that prevents illness, saves lives, and ensures a path toward self-reliance," the State Department said in the announcement of the funding.

Part of the funding, $538 million, will be going to Samaritan's Purse—an evangelical Christian organization—as well as a consortium co-led by World Vision and Compassion International in collaboration with Accord Network. That $538 million is expected to bring aid to 7 million people with critical, lifesaving assistance across 16 humanitarian crises. $100 million of that aid will also be used immediately for response to natural disasters.

The Accord Network describes itself as a facilitator for relief work by "Christ-centered organizations."