Flanders' development aid amounted to more than 52 million euros in 2021
The Flemish government spent 52.4 million euros on development aid last year. That’s 22 percent less than in 2020, when the amount reached 67.6 million, according to the report released on Tuesday by Statistiek Vlaanderen (Flanders Statistics).
Statistiek Vlaanderen, the network of Flemish government bodies who specialized in publishing statistics also added that the Flemish expenditure on development cooperation (ODA) is strongly concentrated in Southern Africa. About 28 percent of ODA in 2021 went to countries in that region, including the three official partner countries of the Flemish government: Mozambique, Malawi and South Africa.
Furthermore, 3,7 percent of the amount were spent within Flanders on health, population and reproductive health. Fifteen percent of the Flemish ODA went to environmental protection and energy while twelve percent was aimed at education.
ODA increased from just over 32 million euros in 2006 to an amount that fluctuated around 50 million euros in subsequent years. Official development aid grew again in 2019 and reached a peak in 2020 at 67.6 million euros.
© AFP PHOTO - Health Surveillance Assistant (HAS) Matilda Mulupwa (R) gives a dose of the polio vaccine to Hilda Masamba, 4.