Sida is phasing out humanitarian funding to the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) following an assessment that revealed weaknesses in internal management and control systems. The move is part of a long-awaited decision announced last week naming 11 new strategic humanitarian partner organisations.

Nordics resist World Bank bid to fill IDA funding gap with loans

The World Bank wants loans from donors to close a massive funding gap in IDA. Many Western donors, hit by austerity and tempted by a cheaper way to fulfill their World Bank pledges, have jumped on the band wagon. Nordics fear the move will hurt IDA funding in the long term.

Global Fund suspends key mosquito net supplier, Vestergaard

Vestergaard, until recently the largest supplier of mosquito nets to the Global Fund, is temporarily suspended. Another Danish firm, Missionpharma, barred three years ago, has yet to be reinstated.

End of Oslo safe haven for DVB. Burmese exile media heads home

A decade ago, the Democratic Voice of Burma broke free from political affiliation with the Burmese democracy movement. Now donors are turning off the tap and DVB is striving to become a commercial media outfit.

Norway reserves USD 80 million for Amaila hydro dam in Guyana

Guyana and Norway remain committed to the Amaila Falls dam project, though IDB has removed it from its active pipeline and future financing remains unclear.

Ahtisaari’s institute to receive frame funds

The Crisis Management Institute, founded by Nobel laureate Martti Ahtisaari, becomes one of five new organisations to receive multi-year grant support.

Donors expect Laos to go slow on Mekong dam

Donors have delayed a joint statement to the Lao government about the controversial Don Sahong hydropower dam on the Mekong River following signals that Laos intends to proceed more cautiously with the project.

Tanzania must reimburse misused aid funds

Finland and Sweden are demanding the reimbursement of aid funds after revelations of corruption related to a local government reform programme in Tanzania.

Volvo, Sida, USAID join forces for technical education in Africa

USAID and Sida have announced a partnership with Sweden’s leading truck and bus manufacture Volvo, aimed at supporting job creation and development of workforce skills in Africa

Opinions

Welcomes scrutiny of Foreign Ministry

Sweden’s new aid minister is open to external scrutiny of her ministry and makes improvement of the working environment a top priority.

NDF and the case for niche development funds

The Nordic countries are at a crossroads as they consider whether to replenish the Nordic Development Fund. Robert Wihtol argues that NDF has a strong track record and is a vehicle for promoting Nordic values.

Editorial

Ad hoc changes in World Bank funding

The World Bank’s IDA agency is perhaps the world’s most important financing mechanism for poor countries.

Another Nordic minister down

The Danish Development Minister Christian Friis Bach (47) has resigned after providing wrong information to Parliament regarding the alleged misuse of Danish aid funds.

DT Archive

Log in for subscribers

Subscribe Multi-electronic access Buy articles Comments and Tips

Quote: Swedes sceptical about World Bank plan for IDA

“We think we should have achieved more and are not satisfied. It is obvious that the outcome of the final negotiations will have an impact on how much we can contribute,” she says.

“Such a fundamental change in IDA’s funding structure requires a thorough analysis and should not be rushed through as a result of funding constraints ... We think we should have achieved more and are not satisfied. It is obvious that the outcome of the final negotiations will have an impact on how much we can contribute.”

Anna Westerholm, head of the Swedish IDA negotiation team

News alerts

Receive news alerts free of charge. Click here to register.

Upgrade your subscription

Paper subscribers can upgrade your subscriptions to include online access. Substantial savings on Institutional License via IP.
Contact us for an offer.

Download a sample issue

Click here to read this sample issue of DT for free.

Join aid professionals in 60 countries. Subscribe today.

In a field cluttered with aid-funded publications, Development Today stands apart with a policy of not accepting grants from donors, NGOs or companies.

This is the basis of our guarantee to you - the reader - that our coverage is truly independent and non-biased.

Click here to find out more.