This item represents outlays from prior year funding for this account, which in fiscal year 1976 was subsumed under "Technical Assistance, Energy, Research, Reconstruction, and Selected Development Programs." American Schools and Hospitals Abroad [In thousands of dollars] This program provides grants to American-sponsored private institutions in foreign countries to help demonstrate American ideas, practices, and recent progress in education and medicine. The full amount authorized is needed to carry out this worthwhile program. The President's request represents a sharp reduction in the level of funding provided for this program over the past several years. The funds in this account are for voluntary contributions by the United States to various international organizations and programs. The difference between the committee's recommendation (which increased the administration's original request by $5 million) and the administration's revised request for fiscal year 1977 is $47.25 million. The difference involves four programs which the administration's revised request would cut: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) would be cut from $130 million to $100 million. The UNDP is the primary U.N. agency providing technical assistance to developing countries, and is currently providing some $500 million worth of assistance a year. U.S. contributions have fallen from 37 percent of total contributions in 1966 to 19 percent in 1976. The recommended level of $130 million would raise U.S. participation to 23 percent. For the 5-year country programing cycle 1972-76 total voluntary contributions were $1.5 billion, and recipient countries provided another $2 billion. In the next 5-year program cycle (1977-81), 80 percent of the program will be directed to countries with per capita incomes of $500 or less. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) would be cut from $20 million to $17 million. UNICEF's purpose is to improve the long-range and immediate welfare to children through providing services to both children and mothers. The total funding level for 1976 was approximately $70.5 million. UNICEF is supported solely by voluntary contributions from governments and individuals. It emphasizes self-help programs, the scope of which includes improved nutrition, maternal and child health, basic education, emergency aid, and basic services such as clean water. UNICEF's role has become increasing crucial with the deterioration that has been taking place in the situation of children in many of the poorest developing countries. U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) would be reduced from $30.7 million to $26.7 million. The relief services include shelter, food, camp improvements, and education. UNRWA's 1976 budget totaled $139.7 million. Organization of American States (OAS) would be reduced from $25.2 million to $15.05 million. The funds are used to support four voluntary programs: regional development activities in education, science, and technology; joint projects dealing with educational, scientific, and technological problems; technical cooperation for economic and social development programs; and export promotion. Voluntary contributions to international organizations and programs The administration's request of $5 million for fiscal year 1977 would bring the total U.S. contribution to the U.N. Environment Fund to $25 million for the 5-year period 1973-77-$15 million below its original pledge of $40 million for the 5-year period. The committee feels that this is an important program and that the United States should go at least some distance in making up its shortfall. The U.N. Environment Program (UNEP) was established in 1973, pursuant to the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. The purpose of UNEP is to coordinate and support international environmental programs, particularly in the fields of identification and control of pollutants, monitoring, conservation, human settlements, information exchange, education, training, and research. UNEP functions include the Global Environmental Monitoring System, the International Referral System, the development of environmental management and assessment capabilities, and education, information, technical assistance, and training. The creation of the United Nations Environment Fund was largely the result of U.S. efforts, and the United Nations Environment Program Participation Act of 1973 (H.R. 6788) authorized a U.S. contribution of up to $40 million (40 percent) of a total fund of $100 million. The U.S. contribution was to be paid in four installments over the 5-year period 1973-77. The U.S. share has been and is budgeted to be funded at the following levels: As of October 31, 1975, pledges from 61 countries totaled $109.4 million for the 5-year period 1973-77. This account provides funds for the United States response to natural and manmade disasters around the world. The level of $25 million was set by the Congress on the basis of past experience to provide funding for "routine" disasters. The relatively small amount provided in this account frequently is insufficient to cover the need for disaster relief funds. In 1975 the administration sought approval of a standing disaster relief fund of up to $20 million in permanent authorization which could be replenished through the appropriation process as funds were required to be used. Because of the loss of authorizing committee controls implicit in such a scheme, the committee rejected the idea and instead authorized a firm annual amount. At the same time, it noted that extraordinary disaster situations would be met by separate, special authorizations as necessary. In recent months three such situa tions have occurred: the Guatemala earthquake, civil war in Lebanon, and civil war in Angola. The committee has reacted to these disasters by establishing a budget allocation for each. Special Disaster Relief and Reconstruction This account represents outlays from funds provided pursuant to the Foreign Disaster Assistance Act of 1974, which provided funds for Nicaragua, Pakistan, and drought areas in Africa. |