[Replay] 

What Do We Do Now? 

Building Resilience Amidst US Foreign Aid & Policy Shifts

Online Panel Discussion | February 6, 2025 | ⏱︎11 AM EST/ 4 PM GMT / 7 PM EAT

The Panel Discussion "What Do We Do Now? Building Resilience Amidst US Foreign Aid & Policy Shifts", led by Shelly Helgeson, featured panelists Abaas Mpindi, Seth Cochran, Victoria Tayler, and John Myers, who discussed the impact of US foreign aid shifts and strategies for resilience.

The Key Takeaway: We must proactively seek partnerships, diversify revenue sources, and remain agile in response to funding disruptions. 
Challenges & Impact: Countries around the world are facing severe funding cuts, affecting HIV/AIDS treatment, jobs, and livelihoods. The USAID halt is one of many crises—unprecedented aid requests highlight global financial strain.
Survival Strategies: Use the “Survive, Maintain, Respond” approach – secure income, prioritize core programs, and adapt.
Funding Alternatives: Explore private sector initiatives, remittances, and diaspora markets to diversify revenue.
Transparency Matters: Communicate with funders about challenges and needed flexibility in grant terms.
Philanthropy Isn’t Enough: As Vikki Tayler put it, "There’s no magic money tree to fill this gap." We need to diversify and consider other ways of sustainability. 

Action steps:
✅Ask funders for grant or investment flexibility
✅Explore private sector partnerships
✅Use storytelling beyond numbers to engage funders
✅Monitor USAID & State Dept. policy update

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