| International: Economy: World Aid |
The overall Official Development Assistance/Aid delivered to developing countries as a percentage of Gross National Income of the selected countries and Multilateral Organizations. Net flow covers loans, grants, and grant-like flows minus amortization on loans. Military flows are excluded. Developing countries are designated by Development Assistance Committee (DACE) as developing. The minimum set by the UN resolution 2626 is 0.70% of Gross National Income
Report Points to Increasing Hunger
Published Thursday, June 4th, 2009
According to a United Nations report, hunger in South Asia has reached levels not seen in 40 years as prices of food and fuel have risen and the global economy slows. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) states that 100 million more people are going hungry compared to two years ago. The areas most affected are Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan, all of which are seeing upheavals and conflict. The World Bank states that three quarters of the population or 1.2 billion live on $2 a day and nearly 400 million (including children) are chronically hungry. Factors for the rising numbers include declining wages at home, a drop in monies sent home from abroad, and high prices that force people to borrow money at high interest. Children are being pulled out of school and sent to work; income is being spent on food but not on other essentials; and women are forgoing food for families.
The report suggests that the two biggest countries, India and Pakistan, reduce their defense budgets to allow for an increase in social spending, plus the use of fiscal stimulus programs. Foreign aid is also mentioned as a remedy. Big spenders like Norway and the Netherlands have decreased foreign aid funds, yet after several years of decline, the United States has increased its foreign aid in 2008. The FY 2010 budget promises a further increase in foreign aid and assistance.
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Foreign Aid Does Not Meet Agreed Minimum
Published Monday, January 12th, 2009
For many years, the United States has cut back its aid; furthermore when given, it has tied its aid to foreign policy objectives. Many countries that give aid have similar provisions. Moreover, many countries consider “trade, not aid” to help developing countries, which allows them to reduce aid promised to the country in need and to the United Nations. In fact, many of the rich nations have consistently failed to meet the minimum of 0.70% of Gross National Income set by the United Nations Resolution 2626 in October 1970.
The payoffs for aid, especially for education, can be numerous. For example, overall national health can improve with education about HIV/AIDS and immunization. Malnutrition can be greatly lessened as agriculture education, especially for women, improves growth and delivery of local produce. Individual income can increase 10% for every year of schooling, thus the investment can improve the labor market and reduce the need for child labor. All in all aid can improve the growth of a developing country in multiple different sectors of development simultaneously.
Aid given by the US, in terms of percentage of GNP, has almost always been one of the lowest of industrialized nations, though since 2000, the dollar amount has been the highest. Yet, in percentage of Gross National Income the US has given 0.69% to overall aid, the top giver is the Norway at 0.95% of GNI.
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