Advocates Anticipate Funding Increase for Family Planning in 2011

President Obama’s budget proposal for foreign assistance programs in fiscal year 2011 is likely to represent another step forward in addressing the family planning needs of millions of women and men in developing nations and mark a continuation of the dramatic shift away from stagnant levels during the Bush administration.

Since the State Department has yet to finalize the allocation of all foreign aid funds that will be devoted to family planning and reproductive health programs, however, it is not yet possible to be specific about the magnitude of the expected increase in funding compared to the total amount for the current fiscal year--$648.5 million—just approved by Congress in December.

What advocates do know with certainty is that the President is requesting a $65 million increase for FP/RH in the key USAID global health account. On a less positive note, the budget request proposes $50 million for a U.S. contribution to the UN Population Fund, $5 million less than the contribution Congress just earmarked for UNFPA. Nevertheless, the anticipated overall increase is especially significant in light of the difficult economic and budgetary climate and the spending freeze being imposed on domestic programs.

We will be sending a comprehensive assessment of the President’s budget proposal once all of the funding numbers for FP/RH programs that the President will be requesting can be confirmed.