It seems like everywhere you turn, the U.S. is sending millions of dollars overseas to help other countries rebuild their power grids and provide humanitarian aid. While that’s all well and good, let’s not forget the fact that plenty of Americans right here at home are living without those very same necessities.
Take North Carolina and other parts of the South, for instance. Hurricane Helene left countless people without power, clean water, and access to food. Some are still waiting for the lights to come back on. Homes have been destroyed, supplies are scarce, and many communities feel left behind as they’re struggling to piece their lives back together. But instead of headlines about American relief efforts here, it’s all about how much money we’re pouring into places like Ukraine and Lebanon.
$157 million was just pledged to Lebanon as part of a new U.S. aid package. That’s in addition to the already massive amounts of cash and resources sent their way, even though Americans in the South are wondering where their help is. U.S. Aid Administrator Samantha Power tweeted about how the funds will support displaced people and bolster shelters and medical supplies, as 1.2 million Lebanese face the fallout from ongoing conflict. That’s heartbreaking, but so are the displaced American families, now living in shelters or with relatives, whose homes were destroyed by flooding.
Then there’s Ukraine, where USAID is sending tons of materials to secure power grids and protect infrastructure against Russian attacks. Power recently boasted that the U.S. has provided 10,000 tons of rebar and 200 miles of steel mesh to rebuild substations in Ukraine. We’re also partnering with over 300 tech companies to help grow their economy and connect them with U.S. businesses.
