Aid given by rich countries to poor nations rose last year to a record $134.8 billion (97 billion euros) despite budget constraints, the OECD said on Tuesday. "Development aid rose by 6.1 percent in real terms in 2013 to reach the highest level ever recorded, despite continued pressure on budgets in OECD countries since the global economic crisis," a statement said.
This figure came after two years of falling volumes, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said. "It is heartening to see governments increasing their development aid budgets again, despite the financial constraints they are currently facing," said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria. "However, assistance to some of the neediest countries continues to fall, which is a serious concern," he said. One such region was identified as sun-Saharan Africa. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, a policy forum for 34 advanced democracies, said that 17 member countries had increased their aid levels. The United States remained the biggest donor at $31.5 billion, an increase of 1.3 percent over the figure the previous year. The other major donors were Germany, Japan and France.