WASHINGTON – Tomorrow, 120 advocates from The ONE Campaign – a global advocacy organization co-founded by activist and U2 lead singer Bono – will head to Capitol Hill to ask US lawmakers to support robust funding for foreign assistance, including funds for development aid and protecting the health of millions of children around the world through increased resources for immunizations. 

The advocates, who range from college students to recent retirees, are visiting Washington, DC, for ONE’s annual Power Summit. In more than 150 meetings tomorrow, they’ll ask Members of Congress and their staff to back robust funding – no less than $61.7 billion – for the Fiscal Year 2025 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, including $4.4 billion specifically for Development Assistance. As part of the overall request, the advocates will also urge lawmakers to support no less than $340 million for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which helps keep kids safe from deadly but preventable diseases by promoting routine immunization access. 

Suzanne Granville, North America Executive Director at the ONE Campaign:

“In the face of an escalating number of global crises and conflicts, coupled with the continued aftershocks of the global pandemic, it is imperative that the US maintain its lengthy, bipartisan legacy of support for foreign assistance. American investment in development, global health, and humanitarian aid not only helps fuel on-the-ground progress – it leverages necessary support from other world leaders to ensure that progress is lasting. 

“This is an opportunity for Congress to continue making real differences in the lives of millions of people. We urge lawmakers to provide robust FY25 funding for State and Foreign Operations Appropriations, especially critical funding for development and global health efforts – like Gavi – which have a proven track record of success and directly impact the US taxpayer.” 

The ONE Campaign celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024. Over the course of two decades, ONE supporters around the world have taken a collective 25 million actions in support of ending extreme poverty and preventable diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. From the creation and success of programs like PEPFAR, the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to legislation like the Global Food Security Act and the READ Act, ONE supporters have been there through it all.

“Whether they’ve been with us since day one, or this is their first trip to the nation’s capital, we couldn’t do this work without our supporters,” Granville continued. “They are relentless in their pursuit of ONE’s vision of a fairer world, making their voices heard not just in the halls of Congress but in cities and communities across the country.”