2011年-世界发展银行全球_Madagascar_Economic_Update_March_2011___Aid_Effectiveness_during_Political_Instability_-_A_Look_at_Social_Sectors_14页_599kb

Summary of the Madagascar Economic Update: Aid Effectiveness During Political Instability

Core Content

This document analyzes the effectiveness of foreign aid in Madagascar's social sectors during the political and economic crisis that began in 2009. It highlights the surge in aid to social sectors such as education, health, and social protection, while other sectors faced significant reductions. Despite the increased funding, social indicators have not improved significantly, raising questions about the quality and coordination of aid delivery.

Main Points

• Aid Trends:

  • Donors traditionally contribute nearly half of Madagascar’s budget, with a large share going to social sectors.
  • From 2008 to 2010, aid to education, health, and social protection increased from $180 million to $260 million, while aid to other sectors dropped by about $200 million annually.
  • The increase in social aid was driven by humanitarian concerns and the growing social distress caused by the crisis and rising food and fuel prices.

• Social Distress:

  • The crisis led to a significant increase in poverty and social challenges, including declining education and health outcomes.
  • The net enrollment rate in primary schools dropped from 83% in 2005 to 73% in 2010.
  • The rate of births attended by skilled health workers also fell from 51% in 2006 to 44% in 2009.
  • External consultations for health services decreased by 8 percentage points between 2005 and 2010.

• Government Capacity:

  • The government has faced severe budgetary constraints, leading to reduced non-wage and capital expenditures in education and health.
  • This has worsened the maintenance and availability of resources in schools and health centers, especially in rural areas.

• Aid Effectiveness:

  • While aid has mitigated some of the crisis's effects, its overall effectiveness has been questioned.
  • Aid has become more fragmented, with a rise in the number of projects and a decline in their average size.
  • Aid is increasingly channeled through NGOs and local communities, bypassing the public sector, which has weakened institutional capacity.
  • There is a lack of alignment between aid and national priorities, leading to duplication and inefficiency.

Key Information

• Fragmentation of Aid:

  • The number of externally funded projects in social sectors increased from 52 to 102 between 2008 and 2010.
  • The median size of projects in education, health, and social protection declined by 54%, 26%, and 22% respectively.
  • This has made coordination more difficult and less effective.

• Shift to Non-Governmental Channels:

  • Less than 10% of donor disbursements in social areas were executed by the Ministries of Education and Health in 2010, compared to 30% in 2008.
  • Donors have increasingly relied on NGOs and local communities to reduce political and fiduciary risks, which has weakened the public delivery system.

• Intersectoral Linkages:

  • Social sectors require not only direct aid but also support in infrastructure, public revenues, and institutional capacity.
  • Aid to infrastructure and other sectors has declined, undermining the effectiveness of social programs.

• Recommendations:

  • Aid effectiveness must be improved through better coordination, alignment with national priorities, and stronger cooperation between donors and the government.
  • Open information sharing and a unified list of country needs are essential for improving aid quality.
  • Donors should avoid over-reliance on non-governmental channels and instead strengthen the public system to ensure sustainable outcomes.

Conclusion

• The document argues that while aid has played a critical role in responding to the crisis, the focus should be on improving its effectiveness rather than just increasing its quantity.
• The current aid delivery model, characterized by fragmentation and lack of coordination, is not optimal for long-term development.
• A new consensus around information sharing and collaboration is needed to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable and supports sustainable progress.