A funding gap is hurting developing countries’ efforts to contain COVID-19

A funding gap is hurting developing countries’ efforts to contain COVID-19

The pandemic has rendered healthcare systems in the developing world even more fragile.

New analysis suggests a widening gap between the amount of foreign aid that has been committed, and the amount that has been disbursed.

This shortfall is hampering countries' efforts to contain the virus.

It could have consequences for the rest of the world, too



For most low and middle-income countries, global aid is a major source of funding for health security systems. Developing countries have been largely dependent on external support to sustain their vital functions. According to the UN, around 70 countries worldwide have been identified as aid-dependent. For example, in countries like South Sudan, Tuvalu, and Liberia, external financing accounts for more than 50% of GDP.

Such global aid helps improve education, bolsters social cohesion, and - pertinently -builds resilient health security systems to mitigate the impacts of infectious outbreaks such as Ebola, Zika, and cholera. With the proliferation of COVID-19 worldwide, fragile healthcare systems have become even more vulnerable, and therefore need immediate support to overcome the pandemic. We have learned from previous global pandemics that failing to respond effectively results in catastrophic economic and health consequences. So, have these countries gotten