Tag Archives: MDG

AidWatch report 2012

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The AidWatch Report 2012, ‘Aid We Can: more investment in global development’, written by CONCORD, the European confederation for Relief and Development NGOs, shows that:

9 EU countries beat aid targets, but Germany and France missed the mark in 2011. Luxembourg, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Malta (the only EU 12 country), Belgium, Finland and Ireland all met their targets. Germany and France however are way off track, both giving less than 0.5% of their GNI to development aid.

Aid budget cuts are becoming a major trend, with €500 million slashed from total EU aid spending in 2011. 11 EU countries cut their aid levels last year, with 9 countries planning further cuts in 2012. Spain and Italy are likely to face the biggest cuts; 53% and 38% respectively. Total EU aid amounted to €53billion in 2011.

14% of EU aid or €7.35 billion didn’t reach developing countries in 2011. Genuine Aid, that represents a real transfer of resources to developing countries, is highest from Luxembourg, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, the UK and Ireland.

Aid commitments achievable but major donors off track

All EU countries are, in principle, committed to giving 0.7% of their GNI to development aid. “Even in times of economic crisis, many European countries have shown that’s possible to keep their aid promise to the world’s poorest. Unfortunately other EU countries are cutting aid at a time when developing countries need it most. Larger countries like France and Germany need to step up their game and not shy away from their commitments,” Ben Jackson, Chief Executive of Bond, the UK NGO network.

Crisis hitting aid to the poor

“Reduction in aid volumes is just one side of the coin. The other side – how the aid is used – is just as worrying. In times of crisis, it is important to keep aid focused on tackling poverty, not on deepening the EU’s commercial and security interests. The latest trends from the EU in this respect are of great concern to ActionAid and its partners,” says Arthur Larok, Country Director of ActionAid Uganda.

Genuine Aid: how much really goes to developing countries?

“People need to be able to trust that aid is making a difference, it should be transparent and truly reach the poorest in developing countries. If not, how can we guarantee sustainable results? Some European countries are an example like Sweden and Luxembourg. But it’s a shame that other EU governments play numbers games that affect the lives of the poor. Over €7 billion in EU aid is wrongly accounted for, and just doesn’t get to the poor.” says Caroline Kroeker from World Vision International.

In 2011, EU governments wrongly accounted as aid: €2.43 billion as debt relief, € 1.82 billion as refugee costs, €1.61 billion as student costs account, €0.98 billion of tied aid €0.51 billion as interest repayments on loans.

Download the full report: AidWatch Report 2012

The 2012 DATA report

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Eurodad member ONE  has released a new report  which assesses Europe’s progress in keeping its ambitious promises for aid increases and aid effectiveness.

The past decade was one of unprecedented growth for sub-Saharan Africa, while the next decade holds both extraordinary opportunities and challenges. From 2000 to 2010, development assistance to sub-Saharan Africa increased by over €14.71 billion.Most of that (62.7%) was related to the Gleneagles commitment period between 2005 and 2010.

During the same time, regional economic growth averaged between 4% and 7% (except for 2009) and Africa was home to six of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies. Sub-Saharan Africa’s advance in development indicators during that period matched its impressive economic track record:

  •  46.5 million more children enrolled in primary school;Agricultural production in 17 sub-Saharan countries increased by more than 50%;
  • More than 5 million HIV-positive people gained access to antiretroviral treatment; and
  • Twelve sub-Saharan African countries saw child mortality rates decrease by over 4.3% a year (the rate of decline that is needed to meet the Millennium Development Goal) and three countries – Senegal, Rwanda and Kenya – have seen falls of more than 8% a year.

 Due to this strong growth, several sub-Saharan African countries have now graduated to middle-income status, and many more could join them over the coming decade. For these latter countries, ‘smart’ aid coupled with accountable domestic investments will help to protect progress already achieved and accelerate further progress.

Download the full report: The 2012 DATA Report