Foreign Aid Research Articles

Promoting Environmental Sustainability: The Role of Renewable Energy Systems and Environmental Taxes

This study examines the effects of renewable energy consumption and environmental taxes on CO2 emissions in OECD countries from 1990 to 2022, employing the cross-sectional autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL) approach. The findings reveal that both renewable energy consumption and environmental taxes significantly reduce CO2 emissions in both the short and the long term, emphasizing their crucial roles in climate change mitigation and sustainability promotion. Furthermore, this study identifies that industrialization and urbanization contribute to increased emissions, whereas foreign direct investment aids in emission reduction through the facilitation of green technology transfer. Economic growth is initially associated with higher emissions, but this trend reverses as economies mature and adopt sustainable practices. These results highlight the importance of continuous investment in renewable energy infrastructure and the implementation of robust environmental tax policies to achieve long-term sustainability goals. The integration of environmental considerations into economic and urban planning, along with leveraging foreign direct investment for technological advancements, is imperative for balancing economic growth with the necessity to reduce carbon emissions and effectively address climate change. This research provides a better understanding of the diverse factors influencing CO2 emissions and offers critical insights for policymakers.

Strategic Evaluation of China’s Foreign Assistance in Vocational and Technical Education: A Case Study of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

This study examines China’s foreign assistance and cooperation strategies in vocational and technical education (TVET) with a focus on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and associated projects. It highlights key initiatives such as the Punjab Tianjin University of Technology and the "Luban Workshop," which reflect China's commitment to advancing vocational education in Pakistan. Through a detailed analysis, the study identifies the effectiveness of these projects in meeting educational needs, the challenges faced, and the strategic alignment with broader initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Pakistan’s Vision 2025. Findings reveal that while significant progress has been made in improving educational quality and infrastructure, challenges remain in sustainability, market alignment, and support mechanisms. The study concludes with recommendations for enhancing future TVET projects, emphasizing the need for robust collaboration, sustainability, and flexibility to address emerging challenges. This research contributes valuable insights into international cooperation in vocational education and offers guidance for policymakers and practitioners involved in similar initiatives.

Study on the Construction and Communication of China's Vocational Education Brand in Africa from the Perspective of Foreign Aid

As the world's second-largest economy and the largest developing country, China is playing an increasingly important role in aiding vocational education in Africa. This study, from the perspective of foreign aid, explores the current state, challenges, and strategies of China's branding and communication in vocational education in Africa.Through various means such as intergovernmental cooperation, corporate participation, and non-governmental organizations, China has achieved significant results in aiding vocational education in Africa. However, there are still multiple challenges in branding and communication, including improving education quality, innovating communication strategies, cultural adaptability, fund and resource allocation, cooperation and coordination, and brand image maintenance. To address these challenges, China needs to strengthen teacher training, introduce advanced teaching methods, use new media platforms to accurately target audiences, respect cultural differences, scientifically allocate funds and resources, establish cross-departmental cooperation mechanisms, and enhance brand promotion.By implementing these strategies, China can further enhance the effectiveness and impact of its vocational education aid to Africa, contributing more to the economic development and social progress of African countries. At the same time, this will also help improve China's international image and soft power, and promote the further deepening and development of China-Africa.

Eviscerated to Revolutionary: Rethinking International Aid and Civil Society in Cambodia and Myanmar

International aid actors and their role in supporting civil society, particularly non-government organisations (NGOs), in Asia has attracted extensive debate. Some view donors’ New Policy Agenda to have de-politicised and “NGOised” civil society, undermining broader emancipatory movements. Such analyses, however, often take limited account of historical and political factors that are deeply influential. Cambodia and Myanmar offer unique insights into these debates; following decades of international isolation, both countries experienced vast influxes of aid, from the early 1990s and late 2000s respectively. Yet in 2024, civil society activism is eviscerated in Cambodia, while a broad alliance is pursing revolution in Myanmar against the 2021 military coup. Through a comparative analysis, this article examines how aid and civil society interact over an extended time, and what the radically different trajectories mean regarding the dynamics between international aid and civil society actors. The article concludes that although international aid had a distortionary impact, historical and political factors were far more consequential in shaping civil society in both countries, particularly the scale of informal, non-NGO activism, which has ultimately proven far more resilient and transformative.

Addressing the Causes and Effects of Climate Change in Afghanistan: Mitigation Strategies and Solutions for a Sustainable Future

The goal of this research is to address the causes and effects of climate change in Afghanistan and to develop strategies and solutions for a sustainable future. A qualitative approach was utilized, employing semi-structured interviews with climate change experts selected via snowball sampling. These interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed through thematic analysis. The study identified various causes of climate change in Afghanistan, such as deforestation, fossil fuel combustion, urbanization, ongoing conflicts, industrial activities, inefficient waste management, and poor water management practices. These factors have culminated in escalating droughts, melting glaciers and snow, floods and storms, as well as adverse effects on agriculture and livestock, and an increase in diseases among humans, animals, and plants. The research underscores the urgent need for mitigation strategies and sustainable solutions for Afghanistan’s future. Proposed strategies and solutions include seeking foreign aid, collaborating with national and international organizations, raising public awareness, preventing deforestation and smuggling, implementing water storage measures, learning from other countries’ experiences, conducting further assessments and research, expanding greenery, and formulating comprehensive policies and strategic plans for water management. The findings are significant for the Afghan government, national and international organizations engaged in climate change efforts, and policymakers. Given Afghanistan's heightened vulnerability to climate change, it is essential to take proactive measures and prioritize mitigation and adaptation efforts to ensure a sustainable future for the country. Addressing these critical issues will require coordinated action and sustained commitment from all stakeholders involved.

Beyond economic growth goals: can foreign aid mitigate carbon dioxide emissions in developing countries?

We provide novel and compelling evidence that foreign aid has significant mitigating impacts on carbon dioxide emissions in a comprehensive panel dataset of 127 developing countries from 1995 to 2019. This impact operates through a direct effect resulting from the adoption of green and eco-friendly investments and an indirect effect driven by economic growth. Moreover, we reveal that the effectiveness of foreign aid in reducing carbon dioxide emissions is contingent upon the country's income level. Specifically, foreign aid shows limited efficacy in curbing emissions in low-income countries, while its influence becomes substantial in middle-income countries. This result indicates that economic development plays a moderating effect in the aid – climate change nexus. Furthermore, the findings of this research are of paramount importance to donor and recipient countries emphasizing the role of governance and political stability in enhancing the effectiveness of aid in combatting climate change and identifying promising pathways for sustainable development.

Development NGOs, Domestic Politics, and Foreign Aid Allocations

Development NGOs, Domestic Politics, and Foreign Aid Allocations

The Impact Analysis of the Relationship Between Foreign Aid and Economic Development in Nigeria

This study examines the impacts of foreign direct investment (FDI) as a proxy for Foreign Aid, alongside other critical economic and political variables, on Nigeria's economic development. Utilizing an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model from 1981 to 2022, it explores the dynamics between FDI, trade openness, unemployment rate, corruption index, inflation rate, political stability, and population growth rate in shaping Nigeria's economic growth trajectory. The findings reveal that FDI significantly contributes to economic development, while trade openness highlights the importance of a conducive external economic environment. Conversely, the adverse effects of inflation and corruption highlight critical challenges that undermine the potential benefits of foreign aid and investment. This study highlights the complex relationship between foreign aid, economic policies, and institutional frameworks. It emphasizes Nigeria's need to bolster governance and macroeconomic stability to optimize the developmental impacts of foreign aid. Through empirical analysis, this research contributes to the discourse on development economics, offering professional insights into the conditions under which foreign aid can effectively foster sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.

BEYOND RHETORIC: CHINA'S PUBLIC DIPLOMACY IN KENYA THROUGH A POLITICAL-ECONOMIC LENS (2013-2020)

This article explores the evolution of China-Kenya relations within the context of China's broader public diplomacy strategy, focusing particularly on the period from 2013 to 2020. The foundation for these bilateral relations was laid as China opened up to developing countries and African nations gained independence. While formal diplomatic relations between China and Kenya were established in 1963, it was during the 2000s that these relations diversified significantly under the leadership of Chinese President Hu Jintao and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki. This diversification spanned commercial, cultural, and political domains, becoming a notable example of public diplomacy. With the ascension of Chinese President Xi Jinping, China's public diplomacy experienced a strategic shift towards a more assertive and politically oriented approach. This study argues that under Xi Jinping, new initiatives and strategic plans were introduced, enhancing the existing framework of China's public diplomacy. A key element of this transformation was the increased emphasis on foreign aid, which gained momentum through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Between 2013 and 2020, China's foreign aid to Kenya played a pivotal role in reshaping the structure of Chinese public diplomacy. This period saw a continuation and expansion of activities in culture and media, established in earlier phases, alongside a growing focus on infrastructure development, humanitarian aid, healthcare assistance, and educational and cultural projects. The study begins by examining traditional public diplomacy tools such as cultural exchanges, high-level visits, and educational initiatives. It then discusses specific projects implemented between 2013 and 2020, analyzing their contributions to public diplomacy efforts. Finally, the article provides an overview of these projects, as documented in AidData, highlighting their impact on the bilateral relations between China and Kenya.

Aid allocation across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus: the role of fragility as a donors’ motive

Fragility continues to present major challenges to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). International aid, particularly the Official Development Assistance (ODA), is a critical source of finance to deliver humanitarian assistance, development projects, and peace operations in fragile contexts. This study analyses if and how donors are motivated by fragility in their aid allocation across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. Employing the random-effect Tobit method, the role of fragility as a donors’ motive is analysed alongside three conventional categories of motives: self-interest, recipients’ needs, and merit. The empirical analysis demonstrates an association between aid allocation across the nexus and fragility, but also a great degree of heterogeneity depending on the donor and the pillar of the nexus. It also detects a significant difference between how the state of fragility correlates with aid allocation and how the degree of fragility does so.

Thinking beyond the stomach: Fixing social work’s food aid provision in displaced environments

This brief note underscores the negative consequences of food aid monotony to mealtime dynamics among war-affected internally displaced families. The article argues that this is rooted in an unethical food aid practice in which social work agencies naively dole out the same food items over a period of time. Caused by monotonic diets, the meal table witnesses poor family commensal activities. Social welfare services have to think ‘beyond the stomach’ and reinvent their food assistance. The article therefore contributes by addressing food aid issues within social work practice and social care policy and urges those responsible to do better.

The influence of foreign aid on the landscape of higher education in Ghana: a multi-stakeholder analysis

The influence of foreign aid on the landscape of higher education in Ghana: a multi-stakeholder analysis

Implementation of Distribution Non-Cash Food Aid (BPNT) in Reducing The Expenditure Burden of Poor Families Based on an Islamic Perspective

Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) is a central government program to help the poor who are food insecure. The purpose of this study is the implementation of non-cash food assistance expenditures in reducing the expenditure burden of poor families. This research uses a qualitative approach that produces descriptive data, by interviewing two poor people and one government. The data collection techniques applied are interviews, observation and documentation. The results of this study indicate that poverty reduction so far has only changed from the food subsidy system (Raskin / Rastra) with an in-kind scheme to the BPNT food assistance system with a non-cash scheme. each poor family receives assistance of Rp. 200,000, -. The implementation of the assistance program in reducing the expenditure burden of poor families reaches an effectiveness level of 66.57%, this shows "good enough" and can reduce the expenditure burden of poor families by 55%. This is in accordance with Islamic values, namely Nafs (soul), Maal (property), Nasab (offspring) in sharia. The implementation of the BPNT program in various regions has been quite effective but the implementation has not met the 6 Target principle (right target, quantity, time, price, quality, and administration). The main obstacle related to the achievement of the program's target is that the data on Beneficiary Families (KPM) has not been updated properly. In terms of food groups, the food assistance received by poor families classified as KPM participants is quite diverse but with a decreasing quantity over time.

Impact of floods on food security in rural Afghanistan

Floods, affecting roughly one million Afghans annually and causing substantial economic losses, is one of the most frequent disasters. This study examines the impacts of floods on household food security in rural Afghanistan, where 80 % of the population relies on subsistence farming and consists of 80 % of the food-insecure population. Based on the 2022 Data in Emergency Monitoring Round 5 dataset, a two-stage least squares with an instrumental variable is applied to analyze the relationship, considering district altitude and unconditional aid. Our findings reveal the negative impacts of floods, i.e., flood exposure decreases the Food Consumption Score (FCS) by 7.1 points and the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) by 0.14 points. Additionally, flood exposure increases the Household Hunger Scale (HHS) by 0.77 points and significantly raises the probability of moderate and severe food insecurity by 11 % and 20 %, respectively. Food aid offers a lifeline, boosting FCS by 1.54 points and reducing HHS by 0.42 points while mitigating food insecurity risks. High-altitude areas experience greater vulnerability, with higher hunger levels and lower dietary diversity compared to lowlands. Our research suggests prioritizing preventative strategies like area-based policies and flood preparedness plans over solely relying on post-disaster relief initiatives. Additionally, accounting for topographical variations, at least at the district level, is crucial for future food security studies in Afghanistan and similar contexts. These findings hold significant implications for achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 13 (Climate Action).

Food insecurity amongst asylum seekers and people without status in Israel

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic caused massive disruptions globally, with food insecurity a primary concern amongst vulnerable communities. As one of the most marginalized and vulnerable groups in Israeli society asylum seekers and undocumented populations were amongst the first to be affected by the pandemic and the economic crisis that followed. The objective of the study was to evaluate the severity and causes of food insecurity among asylum seekers and other undocumented communities because of COVID-19.MethodsA multi method approach was used. The quantitative component included an online questionnaire regarding access to food, aid and choices, and the 6 item Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) The qualitative component included 4 focus groups and thematic analysis. The study was conducted in November 2020, by the Ministry of Health's Nutrition Division and the Tel Aviv Municipality's foreign community assistance and information center (Mesila). The convenience sample was drawn from the low-income neighborhood population of South Tel Aviv. Logistic regression, multivariate analysis and content analysis, were performed.ResultsFour hundred eighty-five people completed the quantitative survey, with average age 33.2 ± 5.4 years and 349 (72.0%) experienced food insecurity. In the multivariate analysis, being older (p = 0.04, Odds Ratio OR 1.1, Confidence Interval CI 1.05–1.15) and being single (unmarried) (p = 0.03, OR 2.1, CI 1.2, 3.5) predicted food insecurity. Qualitative findings identified three main themes: children preferring Israeli/ Western foods to traditional foods; financial stresses were compounded; a preference for receiving assistance with purchasing food (vouchers), rather than food handouts.ConclusionIn conclusion, vulnerable populations (asylum seekers and other undocumented communities) were severely affected and are in danger of food insecurity. Culturally relevant and contextualized solutions are needed to address the acute hunger within the community. These include establishment of a cross-ministerial forum, a social grocery store, increased liaison with food rescue bodies, complete nutritional support for children in educational settings and increased guidance regarding food choices and budgeting.

Foreign Aid and Socioeconomic Development: The Perceptions of Aid in Nigeria

Arguments on aid effectiveness, which are predominately cross-country analyses, remain contestable, with little attention paid to the end-users of aid. Hence, this paper makes use of survey responses from four States in Nigeria to examine the ‘perceived’ impacts of foreign aid on socioeconomic development. The findings show that arguments on aid effectiveness will remain contestable. This is evident even among end-users of aid. While people with lower socioeconomic status are more optimistic about the impacts of aid, this is not applicable across all States. Therefore, aid allocation should not be ‘a one-size-fits-all approach’. Hybrid systems that involve end-users are imperative.

Managing barriers to resource allocation for the rehabilitation services in Pakistan: a review article

The rehabilitation services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy is an essential part of the healthcare system, which is required to enhance patients' quality of life. These services need a streamlined support system, which is required from the funding sources that significantly impact the efficacy. The accessibility, affordability, and quality of healthcare services are significantly influenced by healthcare finance and its utilization, which involves revenue generation and reimbursement processes to budgetary supervision and allocation of resources. Effective resource allocation is made possible by sound financial management, which minimizes undue usage and maximizes the use of existing resources in underfunded healthcare systems like Pakistan, where there is a greater need for funds for rehabilitation. Despite their value in the budget, rehabilitation services frequently receive a smaller portion of the healthcare budget. There is a need to focus on several funding sources, such as commercial insurance plans, public sector grants, out-of-pocket costs for patients and families, and the functions of foreign aid and charitable donations. The possible ways can be increasing insurance coverage for rehabilitation services, increasing public sector investment and encouraging increased cooperation between public and private sector parties. Ultimately, the healthcare system and the rehabilitative services can be improved for future prevention of disability and evidence-based health policies that maximize available resources and high-quality healthcare. This review offers a thorough analysis of and describes the current state of rehabilitation financing in Pakistan. In addition, it also provides considerable evaluation of barriers and suggested solutions in managing the finances required for running a viable rehabilitation system. Keywords: Budgets; Funds; Funding Resources; Finance; Healthcare System; Hospitals; Patients; Rehabilitation Citation: Waheed A, Shah S, Mahmood T. Managing barriers to resource allocation for the rehabilitation services in Pakistan: a review article. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2024;28(4):776−782; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v28i4.2528 Received: July 08, 2024; Reviewed: July 12, 2024; Accepted: July 26, 2024

Domestic Support for Foreign Aid: Development Firms and Support for Foreign Aid in the US Congress

In this article, I present a theory of domestic support for foreign aid in the United States, focusing on the role played by American development firms or aid awardees in domestic politics. US Agency for International Development (USAID) delivers foreign aid to recipient countries through contracts with private for-profit development firms and non-profit organizations, most of which originate from America. This article argues that these domestic firms promote domestic support for foreign aid by creating distributional effects and disseminating information through lobbying. This information includes not only the significance of foreign aid but also its distributive benefits to legislators’ districts. Analyzing district-level USAID award data and firm-level lobby data from the 111th to the 115th Congress, I found that the district-level allocation of aid awards is positively associated with the frequency of (co)sponsorship for pro-foreign aid bills.

Does foreign aid crowd out domestic saving in Ethiopia: ARDL model approach

This paper attempted to examine the relationship between domestic savings and aid in the context of Ethiopia during the period 1996 to 2018 by using ARDL framework. What is more, by disaggregating aid according to its source, the impact of aid from bilateral and multilateral donors on domestic savings is also analyzed. The other distinct feature of this study is that using a Pair-Wise Granger Causality it attempts to investigate the causality between the two variables. The result indicates that increases in aggregate aid are associated with a decline in domestic savings in the long run, also though its impact in the short run is insignificant. Turning to different kinds of aid, bilateral aid is found to have a significant negative association with savings in the long run. However, multilateral aid appears to increase domestic savings and helps the level of domestic savings from becoming worse than the current situation the causality test performed points that there exists two-way causality between the two variables, it indicates that there is bidirectional causality between aid and savings.

The paradox of permission: Why governments allow foreign actors to promote solar energy projects in disputed cities

This article examines why foreign actors promote rooftop photovoltaic (PV) projects in cities characterized by ongoing ethno-national conflicts, and why the host government accepts these projects despite viewing them as undermining its sovereignty. It finds that foreign aid providers increasingly view off-grid PV technology as a low-cost solution for helping the embattled minorities of the city strengthen their autonomy and self-sufficiency by disconnecting them from the state-controlled national electricity grid. Local authorities accept these projects because they view them as benign initiatives that can help them address ‘infrastructure vacuums’ in neglected spaces of the city. This allows foreign actors to shape the status quo of the disputed city while avoiding political pushback by the host government. This dynamic is examined in the case of East Jerusalem, where EU and UN bodies invested in rooftop PV projects over the past decade with the stated goal of strengthening the energy autonomy of the city's Palestinian neighborhoods and preserving the option of dividing the city's infrastructure in a future peace agreement. Through government protocols and interviews with foreign aid representatives who promoted the projects, Jerusalem municipal officials who approved them, and Palestinian users who installed them, this article finds that Israeli authorities viewed these projects as a necessary buffer to address ungoverned areas of the city where Palestinians viewed municipal integration projects as an act of occupation. Foreign actors introduced PV solutions to these areas but struggled to overcome technical, bureaucratic, and social hurdles that limited their progress.