Obama promises to double US aid
I know development assistance is not the most popular program, but as President, I will make the case to the American people that it can be our best investment in increasing the common security of the entire world. That was true with the Marshall Plan, and that must be true today. That’s why I’ll double our foreign assistance to $50 billion by 2012, and use it to support a stable future in failing states, and sustainable growth in Africa; to halve global poverty and to roll back disease. To send once more a message to those yearning faces beyond our shores that says, “You matter to us. Your future is our future. And our moment is now.”
This is very welcome, though personally I’d settle for keeping the number the same but using it better.
Contrary to what some people expect, statistical analysis shows that Republicans tend to be more generous with aid to Africa than Democratic administration. Maybe Obama would buck that trend.
4 responses to “Obama promises to double aid to Africa”
Hi, fan of Chris Blattman, which led me here. I’m curious about what you see as the best ways to use the aid better. I’ve been researching this issue lately, and I’m wondering if you have any insight into this question. I’ll be developing the research more on my blog
The Best Thinking About Fixing America’s Foreign Aid
http://inanafricanminute.blogspot.com/2008/07/best-thinking-about-fixing-americas.html
[…] Obama promises to double aid to Africa Got to take care of the ‘homeland’ never know when you’re gonna need a place to hide. […]
Let the Europeans pay. Americans have done enough and now we need our tax dollars for ourselves. Obama seems to want to help Africa more than America.
Owen replies: America has not done enough. Contrary to popular opinion in America, it is one of the least generous countries, relative to national income, even when private donations are taken into account.
Using aid better or more productively would start with the way tendering is handled. The current system ensures that only large companies win bids and in competition, some 30% of what is spent by the donors goes to these companies. Make the bidding more realistic and you would save billions.