AS per OECD Development Assistance Committee data,
development aid totalled
USD 131.6 billion in 2015, representing a rise of 6.9% from 2014 in real
terms as aid spent on refugees in host countries more than doubled in
real terms to USD 12 billion. Stripping out funds spent on refugees,
aid was still up 1.7% in real terms.
Official development assistance (ODA) from the 28 countries in the DAC averaged
0.30% of gross national income, the same level as in 2014. Measured in real
terms – correcting for inflation and for a sharp depreciation in many DAC
country currencies against the dollar last year – ODA is up 83% since 2000,
when the Millennium Development Goals were agreed.
The 2015 data shows that bilateral aid to the poorest countries rose by 4%
in real terms, in line with commitments by DAC donors to reverse recent declines.
Bilateral aid, making up around two-thirds of ODA, is aid provided by one
country to another country. A survey of donor spending plans through 2019
suggests flows to the poorest countries will keep rising.
Funds spent on hosting or processing refugees in donor countries accounted
for 9.1% of ODA in 2015, up from 4.8% in 2014, when in-donor refugee costs
totalled USD 6.6 billion. The rise in refugee costs did not significantly
eat into development programmes, with around half of donor countries using
money from outside their aid budgets to cover refugee costs.
“Countries have had to find large sums to cover the costs of an historic
refugee crisis in Europe, and most have so far avoided diverting money from
development programmes. These efforts must continue. We also welcome that
more aid is being provided to the poorest countries,” said OECD Secretary-General
Angel Gurría. “Governments must ensure that development aid keeps rising.
They also need to develop long-term options for meeting future refugee costs
and the integration of refugees in our societies, while ensuring at the same
time that ODA reaches those countries and people that need it the most.”
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