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with attribution to From Africa Recovery, Vol.15 #1-2, (June 2001) page 5 Africa gets a shrinking share of aid To ensure that globalization is more equitable, wealthy nations must devote a greater portion of their foreign aid to promoting "pro-poor growth" in the developing world, argues the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the industrialized countries' Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Yet in recent years the poorest developing countries have been receiving a shrinking share of such assistance, admits the DAC, which comprises the largest bilateral donors. Between 1995 and 1999, the share of total official development assistance (ODA) received by the least developed countries (LDCs) declined from 28 per cent to 21 per cent, reports the DAC's Development Cooperation 2000 Report. For sub-Saharan Africa -- which includes 34 of the world's 49 LDCs -- it fell from 32.9 per cent in 1993-94 to 29.6 per cent in 1998-99. In absolute terms, net ODA receipts in sub-Saharan Africa declined from $18.4 bn in 1995 to $12 bn in 1999. Meanwhile, ODA to North Africa hovered around the $3 bn mark during most of that period, but dipped to $2.7 bn in 1999 (see graph). The report acknowledges that the benefits of globalization "are far from automatic" and the process may even bring "inevitable inequity and vulnerability." Therefore, trade liberalization must be accompanied by social policies in health, education and training, and by "an environment where the most vulnerable are protected by adequate social safety nets and efficient social protection measures." Donors, the report emphasizes, can help specifically by allocating more aid to health and efforts to promote gender equality, "two strategic policy areas" with strong potential to reduce poverty. Developed countries also should support "global public goods" by developing and making available medicines against malaria, AIDS and other diseases. "It is not just a question of solidarity but of successful integration in the global economy, which can only be achieved by reducing poverty," says the DAC. "The poorest countries cannot participate in this process so long as the energy of governments and citizens is directed exclusively towards survival and minimal livelihoods." Related articles: [ Back to Volume15 #1-2 Table of Contents ] [back to Africa Recovery home ] [ New Releases ] [ Magazine - Current/Past issues ] [ Index / Search ] [ About us ] [ UN Home ] [ UN News ] [ UN Key Reports ] [ UN Africa Links ] Material from this article may be freely reproduced, with
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