As I said earlier, pressuring governments in rich countries to increase foreign aid — or voting for political parties that would — is just one way that I can help move money from the top to the bottom of the global income distribution.
I also donate some of my money directly to the most effective causes. Several years ago, I took the Giving What We Can pledge, committing to give at least 10% of my income to charity. I specifically focus on programs working in some of the lowest-income countries and on causes where small amounts of money can do a lot. The charity evaluator GiveWell is a good resource to find some of the most cost-effective causes to support.
This point on cost-effectiveness is particularly important to me in terms of personal donations, but it also matters when it comes to foreign aid. At the beginning of this article, I highlighted a number of successful aid programs: efforts to eradicate polio, reduce deaths from HIV and malaria, and provide food supplies during famine. It would be great if all aid money were as well-spent as this, but that’s not the reality. Some foreign aid is spent on programs and activities that make little difference. More than half of Brits think that aid is a complete waste due to corruption, and it’s these examples that can often make people sceptical that their dollars are being put to good use.
While I advocate for an increase in the foreign aid budget (and personal donations) overall, I’d also like to see a renewed focus on making sure that we’re spending this money in the best possible way. This would not only improve the outcomes for people who need this support but could also increase support for higher foreign aid budgets in rich countries.
When aid programs work well, they can transform the lives of millions. These programs are not designed to last forever; they’re there to support lower-income countries and kickstart self-fulfilling progress. Unfortunately, these stories of progress are not well-known. If we want to see a resurgence in support for foreign aid, we need to talk about them much more.
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