In spite of tough economic times, the vaccine alliance GAVI managed just to surpass its fund-raising target of USD 7.5 billion for the next five-year period, with substantial increases in contributions from many government donors and the Gates Foundation. (To be updated)

The year Nordic donors devaluate their aid

Although the face value of Nordic aid remains at about the same level as in 2014, a closer scrutiny reveals that it will shrink on almost all fronts in 2015, and less aid will be available for the recipients. Read Development Today's analysis of the Nordic aid budgets for the coming year.

Heavy security measures for aid workers at Taliban frontiers

In volatile areas all over Afghanistan relief organisations manoeuvre to gain acceptance from local leaders to operate, but the security risks are high. Anna Cervi, Head of Norwegian Refugee Council’s office in Faryab, the only Western aid worker at the office, describes what it takes to operate in this fragmented environment.

Donors want more transparency from UNICEF on financial irregularity

UNICEF often works in fragile environments where corruption is rife, yet it seldom reports to Nordic donors on cases of misuse. “We are worried about the ‘unknowns’,” says a Norwegian fraud expert.

UNDP chief calls for reform in global health aid in wake of Ebola

In an interview with Development Today, UNDP’s Administrator Helen Clark calls for more holistic efforts in global health aid following the Ebola crisis, warning that a “one-disease approach” can create distortion.

Danes outspend Swedes on asylum seekers

Both Denmark and Sweden have allocated about one-fifth of their aid budgets for covering domestic costs of asylum seekers. But the Danish spending per refugee is more than double the Swedish level.

Icelandic aid remains at 0.22% of GNI

The Icelandic development budget increases to ISK 4.04 billion in tact with an improved economic outlook for 2015, but remains at a level of just 0.22 per cent of GNI.

Gunilla Carlsson joins Gavi board

Sweden’s former Development Minister has been appointed a Gavi “independent board member” as the vaccine alliance gears up for a huge replenishment.

Danish company lands 5th aid-funded Danida contract

Alcatel-Lucent Denmark A/S has secured Danida funding for its fifth contract to build optical fibre networks in Africa. The total contract value of the projects financed by Danida amounts to more than DKK 1 billion.

Danida contracts 2014: Focus on business, CSOs, media support

Read Development Today’s overview of consultancy contracts awarded by Danida during 2014.

Opinions

Can aid green the south?

Northern donors must live up to their commitments to assist the South in dealing with the negative impacts of development. But this cannot replace the rich countries’ imperative to reduce their ecological footprints, write Ulrikke Bryn Wethal and Arve Hansen.

Phase out bilateral health aid. Re-focus on health care systems

The five-fold increase in aid for health over the last decade or so has led to a global architecture for health that continues to fall short of needs and is unfit for purpose. Read Björn Ekman's radical proposal.

Editorial

The crippled Nordic aid

2015 is a crossroads in global development. It is the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals and new aims are to be agreed on by developing countries and donors.

For third year running, Denmark tops Commitment to Development Index

The annual donor ranking produced by the Washington-based Center for Global Development places Denmark at the top again.

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