Is aid from the richest countries really at record high?
11/1/2023: Official development assistance from the world’s largest aid-providing governments totalled $185.9 billion in 2021, the highest on record. A closer look at what counts as aid presents a less rosy picture.
Source: The New Humanitarian
Ten numbers which defined development in 2022
19/12/2022: This year has been a difficult one in the development sector. Need has worsened and budgets have been stretched. Key humanitarian data helps define this challenging year.
Source: Devex
World Bank warns of debt crisis for poorest nations
6/12/2022: International debt repayments have risen to levels not seen in two decades, with about 60% of low-income countries at risk. The rapid increase in loans from China is undermining established mechanisms for debt relief.
Source: Devex
Time is running out for decisions on debt relief
19/10/2022: Senior managers from the UN Development Programme warn of a rapid deterioration of an already damaging debt crisis amongst low income countries. They argue that the international community has the resources to take action.
Source: Inter Press Service
Fifty-four countries need urgent debt relief
11/10/2022: The UN Development Programme has warned that fifty-four developing economies accounting for more than half of the world’s poorest people need urgent debt relief. Rich countries attending the World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings have the resources to end the debt crisis.
Source: UN Development Programme
Will China’s African debt cancellations make a difference?
1/9/2022: China has waived repayment of concessional loans for 17 African states, a welcome move as the continent’s average debt-to-GDP ratios continue to grow. However, the political significance of the latest developments is likely to be greater than the financial impact.
Source: African Arguments
GiveDirectly taps former UK global development minister
29/8/2022: Former UK International Development Secretary Rory Stewart has been appointed to lead GiveDirectly, a US foundation that provides cash transfers direct to impoverished people around the world. This model aims to cut out inefficiencies of traditional aid.
Source: Devex
Warnings of default in Laos are misguided
25/8/2022: Laos faces unprecedented financial difficulties but, unlike Sri Lanka, Laos is unlikely to default on its external debt obligations. China, its largest creditor and political ally, does not want to be seen as an irresponsible lender by other developing Asia Pacific or indeed African nations.
Source: East Asia Forum
Zimbabwe chokes on $13 billion China loans
20/7/2022: Zimbabwe is choking under mounting international debt as it begins to pay the price for borrowing heavily from China for infrastructure projects. Debt relief strategies may depend on genuine political and economic reforms.
Source: The East African
Aid Transparency Index finds decline in standards
13/7/2022: The 2022 Aid Transparency Index has fallen slightly, the first time the index has not recorded an improvement. The African Development Bank’s sovereign portfolio was identified as the most transparent.
Source: Devex