Executive Summary
Aid to Somalia reached a record high in 2017. Reported official development assistance (ODA) for Somalia totaled US$ 1.75 billion for 2017. With an ODA to GDP ratio of nearly 26% for 2017, Somalia remains highly dependent on aid.
The increase in ODA was primarily driven by the surge in humanitarian support provided in response to the drought. Humanitarian aid for 2017 exceeded US$ 1 billion, based on donor reporting. This is a 66% increase compared with average humanitarian flows reported over the past three years (US$ 608 million annually). The frontloading of humanitarian support in 2017 likely played a significant role in staving off famine in Somalia.
Development aid continues to rise steadily. Reported development aid to Somalia totaled US$ 742 million, a 9% increase over the 2016 total (US$681). Total development aid has not declined since 2009, and the stability seen in recent years (notably since 2014) is unusual for a fragile state.
COMMENTS