Aid: donors spending less on water, OECD

Overall, donors are committing less to the water sector than in past years, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD adds that more still goes to fund urban infrastructure in middle income countries than to marginalised communities which suffer most from lack of clean water. The OECD’s forthcoming annual Development Co-operation Report contains a special focus on the need for more aid directed towards supplying water and sanitation.

Total development aid in 2003 reached US$ 69.0 billion (EUR 52.9 billion), up from US$ 58.3 billion (EUR 44.7 billion) in 2002. However, inflation and exchange rate movements, notably the weakening of the dollar, accounted for the bulk of the increase.  If donor countries follow through on their promises made in Monterrey in 2002, aid is expected to rise to about US$ 88 billion (EUR 67.5 billion) in 2006. Among the recommendations made by the OECD in its report are: to focus more on security, more funding for the poorest countries, simplification and harmonisation of donor efforts, and better development information.

See also: International Development Statistics online databases

Related news: Financing: countries with greatest need receive least water aid, Source, 14 Apr 2003

Contact: OECD - Development Co-operation Directorate, dac.contact@oecd.org

Source: OECD, 18 Jan 2005