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A Note from Jed's Desk

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Dear Friend,

After the longest shutdown in U.S. history, Congress agreed to fund the government, including vital global health and humanitarian assistance, through January 30. While the funding provided remains flat with last year, except what was rescinded earlier this year, this kind of uncertainty can have real consequences for the people and communities Project HOPE serves around the world. A shutdown can slow down global health programs, disaster response efforts, refugee support, and food assistance. It can delay critical work that means life-or-death realities for mothers, children, and entire communities.

But thanks to the incredible support from compassionate people like you, Friend, Project HOPE's work to deliver urgent relief with lasting impact continues. Even as we continue to navigate these uncertain times, our commitment to the people we serve remains unwavering.

As we look ahead to 2026, I wanted to share an update on Project HOPE's Policy & Advocacy work to help bring more health, healing, and HOPE to children and families worldwide.

Thank you for being a vital part of this work.

Sincerely,

Jed Meline
VP, Policy & Advocacy
Project HOPE

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P.S. If you haven't yet joined the HOPE Action Network (HAN), a powerful new community of advocates committed to protecting global health and humanitarian aid, you can add your voice and join here.
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U.S. Funding

The U.S. government has reopened following the longest shutdown in U.S. history, as Congress reached an agreement to fund federal operations through January. Although the government has reopened, this agreement, called a continuing resolution (CR), is temporary. Instead of setting new budgets, a CR generally keeps funding at the previous year's levels for a set period of time, giving lawmakers more time to negotiate without triggering a government shutdown.

Earlier this year, the House proposed a funding bill that would set aside $9.5 billion for global health programs, signaling continued bipartisan recognition of the importance of U.S. investment in fighting diseases like HIV and malaria, supporting maternal and child health, and strengthening health systems around the world. Humanitarian assistance funding, however, faces sharper reductions of about 15% less than last year. If that bill were to pass, that could mean fewer resources for communities facing conflict, hunger, or displacement. The bill also includes several policy changes, such as shifting oversight for programs from USAID to the State Department and blocking U.S. funding for the World Health Organization. Project HOPE will be watching all this closely and should there be an opening to influence funding, we will activate the HOPE Action Network to contact your representatives.

Regardless of any agreement, even short funding gaps create uncertainty, particularly for partners and programs that rely on predictable U.S. support for vaccines, medicines, and diagnoses. Delays can ripple outward, affecting everything from disaster response to health worker training to the delivery of essential medicines. This moment underscores the importance of strong, stable U.S. leadership in global health and humanitarian assistance and why advocates must remain engaged to protect these investments from future disruptions.

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U.S. Global Health Strategy

In September, the U.S. State Department introduced a new approach for the United States' global health policy. Called the "America First Global Health Strategy," it lays out how the United States plans to work with other countries to strengthen health systems and respond to global challenges in the years ahead.

The strategy highlights a few key ideas:

* Building stronger partnerships with other governments
* Encouraging countries to invest more in their own health systems
* Ensuring resources reach the health workers and communities on the front lines.
* Reaffirming U.S. support for programs that fight diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and polio.

For organizations working in global health like Project HOPE, this shift represents both opportunity and uncertainty. We support these focus areas. However, the new strategy underscores the need to keep advocating for policies that protect vulnerable communities, promote maternal and child health, and work to prevent new infectious diseases which are not prioritized. With your help, Project HOPE will continue to advocate to ensure U.S. leadership continues in these critical areas as well.

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United Nations

In September, global leaders gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly - an annual meeting where country leaders, organizations, and advocates come together to discuss the world's biggest challenges. Project HOPE's Policy & Advocacy team was there to ensure that the voices of health workers and the communities they serve were part of those conversations.

Throughout the week, our team shared our expertise on how to build stronger, more resilient health systems, better prepare and support health workers, and protect their mental health and well-being. We also took part in shaping the global agreement that was voted on at the UN's High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, helping to ensure continued commitment by every country to supporting health workers.

Project HOPE's participation reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that - from the global level to small rural villages - health workers can deliver for their communities.

We couldn't do this work without the help of our supporters. If you haven't yet joined the HOPE Action Network, click below to lend your voice to our work.
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Help Deliver More HOPE!

These are unprecedented times. As conflict spreads and tensions rise, headline after headline sounds the alarm that children and families around the world need urgent relief.

Every act of kindness makes a difference. Please make a gift today to help bring comfort, stability, and care to children and families living through unimaginable circumstances.
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