Natural disasters and foreign aid allocation: how much, how quickly, and to whom?

Rabah Arezki; Youssouf Camara; Patrick A. Imam; Kangni Kpodar

doi:10.1016/j.worlddev.2026.107380

Natural disasters and foreign aid allocation: how much, how quickly, and to whom?

Rabah Arezki
, Youssouf Camara
, Patrick A. Imam
, Kangni Kpodar

Université Clermont Auvergne
McGill University
International Monetary Fund

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Natural disasters provide quasi-experimental variation to study how foreign aid responds to shocks. Using data for 20 bilateral donors for the period going from 1995 to 2021 and a local-projection difference-in-differences design, we estimate the dynamic effects of disasters on aid commitments. Foreign aid rises significantly in the aftermath of shocks, but the response is short-lived and disproportionately benefits middle-income countries. Humanitarian aid reacts quickly, while development aid adjusts more slowly. The findings reveal persistent inequities in global disaster relief.

Original language	English
Article number	107380
Journal	World Development
Volume	203
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2026.107380
Publication status	Published - 1 Jul 2026
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 1 No Poverty

Keywords

Aid Allocation
Humanitarian Aid
Natural Disasters
Quasi-experiment

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10.1016/j.worlddev.2026.107380

Cite this

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title = "Natural disasters and foreign aid allocation: how much, how quickly, and to whom?",

abstract = "Natural disasters provide quasi-experimental variation to study how foreign aid responds to shocks. Using data for 20 bilateral donors for the period going from 1995 to 2021 and a local-projection difference-in-differences design, we estimate the dynamic effects of disasters on aid commitments. Foreign aid rises significantly in the aftermath of shocks, but the response is short-lived and disproportionately benefits middle-income countries. Humanitarian aid reacts quickly, while development aid adjusts more slowly. The findings reveal persistent inequities in global disaster relief.",

keywords = "Aid Allocation, Humanitarian Aid, Natural Disasters, Quasi-experiment",

author = "Rabah Arezki and Youssouf Camara and Imam, \{Patrick A.\} and Kangni Kpodar",

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doi = "10.1016/j.worlddev.2026.107380",

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TY - JOUR

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T2 - how much, how quickly, and to whom?

AU - Arezki, Rabah

AU - Camara, Youssouf

AU - Imam, Patrick A.

AU - Kpodar, Kangni

PY - 2026/7/1

Y1 - 2026/7/1

N2 - Natural disasters provide quasi-experimental variation to study how foreign aid responds to shocks. Using data for 20 bilateral donors for the period going from 1995 to 2021 and a local-projection difference-in-differences design, we estimate the dynamic effects of disasters on aid commitments. Foreign aid rises significantly in the aftermath of shocks, but the response is short-lived and disproportionately benefits middle-income countries. Humanitarian aid reacts quickly, while development aid adjusts more slowly. The findings reveal persistent inequities in global disaster relief.

AB - Natural disasters provide quasi-experimental variation to study how foreign aid responds to shocks. Using data for 20 bilateral donors for the period going from 1995 to 2021 and a local-projection difference-in-differences design, we estimate the dynamic effects of disasters on aid commitments. Foreign aid rises significantly in the aftermath of shocks, but the response is short-lived and disproportionately benefits middle-income countries. Humanitarian aid reacts quickly, while development aid adjusts more slowly. The findings reveal persistent inequities in global disaster relief.

KW - Aid Allocation

KW - Humanitarian Aid

KW - Natural Disasters

KW - Quasi-experiment

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105033612584

U2 - 10.1016/j.worlddev.2026.107380

DO - 10.1016/j.worlddev.2026.107380

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105033612584

SN - 0305-750X

VL - 203

JO - World Development

JF - World Development

M1 - 107380

ER -

Natural disasters and foreign aid allocation: how much, how quickly, and to whom?

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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