Insights from the Covid-19 pandemic

Trends in development assistance committee countries’ aid allocation, 2011–2021

Bibliographic Data

ID19529872
AuthorsShuhei Nomura (0000-0002-2963-7297, Keio University, corresponding author), Cyrus Ghaznavi (0000-0002-5942-1948, University of California, San Francisco), Kazuki Shimizu (0000-0003-4201-7700, Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development), Alton Cao (0000-0002-1962-365X, Keio University), Miho Sassa (0000-0002-3879-6943, The University of Tokyo), Manae Uchibori (0000-0001-6469-5794, Keio University), Rauniyar Santosh Kumar (Keio University), Lisa Yamasaki (0000-0002-6563-5969, National Center for Global Health and Medicine), Hana Tomoi (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine), Haruka Sakamoto (0000-0001-9003-7402, Tokyo Women's Medical University)
Year2023
Volume16
Issue1
Pages2258707-2258707
Publication date2023-12-31
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Health Action (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1654-9716 • E-ISSN: 1654-9880
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/16549716.2023.2258707
PMID37733029
OpenAlexW4386909898
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited29

BACKGROUND: Official Development Assistance (ODA) significantly aids sustainable development in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted aid allocation, posing challenges for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). OBJECTIVE: This study explores and underscores the profound implications of shifts in ODA allocation by Development Assistance Committee (DAC) member countries, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of international aid. METHODS: Drawing from the gross ODA disbursement data for LMICs by DAC member countries from 2011 to 2021, a linear regression analysis assessed the changes in ODA amount, ODA-to-gross national income (GNI) ratio, sectoral aid allocation, and the balance between bilateral and multilateral aid, primarily focusing on the differences pre- and post-COVID-19. For non-specialised multilateral agencies' core funding, the OECD's methodology for calculating imputed multilateral ODA was employed to estimate ODA flows. RESULTS: The study found an increasing trend in the total ODA provided by DAC member countries from 2011 to 2021. However, the average ODA/GNI ratio showed a slight but significant decrease before the pandemic, followed by an increase after the COVID-19 pandemic. The health sector received the highest percentage of aid after the pandemic, with a marked increase in both bilateral and multilateral aid. However, other sectors such as humanitarian aid, water and sanitation, and energy experienced a significant decrease in sectoral aid share. CONCLUSIONS: Emerging from this analysis is a strong recommendation for DAC members to re-evaluate aid objectives and escalate their financial commitments to reinforce SDGs and sustainable development efforts. While the rise in health aid is essential, other sectors also require equal focus to offset the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the intricacies of aid allocation can improve aid efficacy, culminating in greater, transformative results for recipient countries

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Development economics · Disease · Economic growth · Economics · Outbreak · Pandemic · Political science · Economic Growth and Development · Human Rights and Development · International Development and Aid · Medicine · Virology

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