Helping is one goal of humanitarian aid. Another is claiming credit.

Mar 23, 2022
Countries and international organizations want people to know about the foreign aid they provide.
President Biden signs the Consolidated Appropriations Act on March 15 to fund the U.S. government, which also sent $13.6 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Britain cuts foreign aid to help pay the cost of COVID-19

Jan 11, 2021
The decision to reduce overseas aid during the nation's economic contraction has provoked outrage, but it has also drawn support .
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak sits beside Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a  meeting in July. Sunak supported reducing the U.K.'s foreign aid budget by the equivalent of $600 billion.
Simon Dawson/Getty Images

Could prosperity at home curb migration?

Jun 27, 2019
A new report suggests sending aid abroad could help ease a surge in inward migration.
A Guatemalan migrant recently released from federal detention holds an envelope with a message written in English as he waits inside a bus depot on June 11, 2019, in McAllen, Texas.
LOREN ELLIOTT/AFP/Getty Images

U.S. cuts aid to Central America over immigration; critics say that will backfire

Apr 1, 2019
In an effort to slow the flow of Central America migrants into the U.S., President Trump said he’s cutting direct aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. The U.S. sends money to those countries to help them combat drug trafficking, gang violence and to promote economic growth. Click the audio player above to hear the full […]
Honduran migrants leave the Metropolitan Center of San Pedro Sula, 300 kms north of Tegucigalpa, to travel to the Guatemala border.
ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP/Getty Images

What does the U.S get back for its foreign aid spending?

Jan 3, 2018
Over the past few days, President Donald Trump has tweeted quite a bit about foreign aid. On New Year’s Day, he complained about the amount of foreign aid we send to Pakistan and criticized its government for not doing more to stop terrorism. Yesterday, he targeted aid to Palestinians, questioning whether payments should continue. What […]

Uganda needs help to serve a growing influx of South Sudan refugees

Apr 4, 2017
More than 2,500 people flee war-torn South Sudan every day. By the end of this year, 400,000 are expected arrive in Uganda, its neighbor to the south. Uganda is exceptionally open to these refugees, but it needs financial and logistical help as the influx has outpaced relief efforts. Click the audio player above to hear […]

The U.S. spends a lot less on foreign aid than you think

Mar 17, 2017
Besides goodwill, there are other advantages to giving.
A general view shows a Sudanes worker sitting on the USA flagged bulk carrier.
ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Hard times for soft power spending

Feb 28, 2017
The White House wants to bump up defense spending and reduce the budgets of some other federal agencies. One agency in the crosshairs is the State Department. It wields something known as soft power — diplomacy and foreign aid. So what happens when you slash spending on soft power?  Click the audio player above to […]

Some NGOs in Nairobi have to pay locals to attend meetings

Aug 25, 2016
For years, NGOs have poured money into Kenya but many residents are skeptical over the groups' intentions.
Sharon Ogolla stands in front of her salon in Kibera.
Dan Bobkoff

Fun fact Friday: A lot of business buzz

Mar 6, 2015
We traveled the world to bring you the best in business news this week.