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On May 29, InterAction hosted "Building Your Skillset: A Guide to Professional Development," the third session in our ConnectAid series.

The panel discussion provided guidance for humanitarian and development professionals who are seeking to reinforce and expand their skillsets as the foreign assistance landscape continues to rapidly evolve.

The event recap, along with a list of professional development resources, can be found in our latest blog: https://t.co/Xp4WLdNyUz

On April 9, InterAction hosted our second ConnectAid session, featuring a panel discussion with crisis communications experts Ellen Carmichael of The Lafayette Company and Vanessa Parra of Vanessa Parra Public Relations. The panel discussed how to effectively articulate foreign assistance's return on investment and cultivate a communications strategy across a variety of platforms.

The top three takeaways are highlighted below. The full recap can be found in our latest blog: https://medium.com//beyond-the-noise-crisis-communications-in-foreign-aid-91364cc1c616

"These USAID missions are ... early warning systems for disease outbreaks that can lead to pandemics. Disease cannot be stopped at the U.S. border. It can be stopped only where it originates, which USAID has done successfully."

USAID programs build strategic partnerships that underpin U.S. leadership in addressing numerous global challenges—not just pandemics.

Andrew Natsios, former USAID administrator under President George W. Bush, explains how America's strength lies in relationships USAID missions build with communities.

Closing USAID will weaken the foundation of American power Washington is in turmoil as career civil servants across the federal government fear they may be fed into the Department of Government Efficiency wood chipper.

"We pray that the U.S. resumes its funding."

Resources for Sudanese refugees have come to a sudden halt as aid programs have been halted or terminated.

HIAS was unable to help a woman who lost everything after a fire ripped through a displacement camp.

Schools run by Jesuit Refugee Service/USA that served 32,000 students had to abruptly close their doors in January.

Programs that are in America's interest are instead leaving behind vulnerable communities and exacerbating insecurity.

Video: These Sudanese Refugees Fled War. Now, Crucial U.S. Aid Is Running Out. Sudanese refugees at the Aboutengue Camp in Chad, most of whom are women and children, say they are desperate for help just weeks after the U.S. government announced drastic foreign aid cuts in January.

“In this environment of change and disruption, having Congress pass level funding for foreign assistance” could be seen as a “huge win,” said Lisa Bos, our VP of global development policy and advocacy.

But big questions remain around a recissions package, writes Adva Saldinger for Devex.

US Congress passes budget bill, but questions remain on foreign aid A continuing resolution means funding levels will remain the same until September, but what that means for foreign assistance is unclear.