What we know about humanitarian aid, poverty reduction and health

The aim of Swedish aid is to create the conditions for better living standards for people living in poverty and oppression. But what do we really know about how aid can do this?

In a number of studies, the EBA has examined the extent to which aid goes to countries with the largest number of poor people and whether the efforts have focused on effective poverty reduction. In addition, EBA has commissioned research into whether Swedish aid has contributed to poverty reduction and whether certain types of aid have had an effect on poverty. The results are mixed.

Examples of effective interventions include support for the development of social protection systems, the agricultural sector in low-income countries, and functioning and inclusive markets. EBA studies on health also point to the need for support to health systems in low-income countries as an important measure in effective poverty reduction.

EBA studies on humanitarian aid point to increasingly challenging situations globally, with more and more people displaced, longer periods of displacement, and growing funding gaps in UN-led appeals. Underfunding tends to lead to entire sectors – in particular social protection, water and sanitation, education – being neglected, along with entire geographical areas. Several studies analyse or point to the need for effective interaction between humanitarian and long-term assistance.