How does international aid effect the local development of recipient countries? The impact of Italian external intervention on Mozambique’s health system: The UR-Beira Project

Abstract

The most stated goals of Official Development Aid (ODA) programmes are the eradication of poverty and the reduction of income disparities. Yet, after seventy years of foreign aid, most of the world still lives in chronic poverty and malnutrition. A direct link to this issue regards the fragile nature of developing countries’ health systems. This, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, further undermines the situation of the region, complicated by economic crisis, ethnic tensions, civil wars, and political instability. Therefore, Development Assistance for Health (DAH) has significantly increased over the last four decades, rendering development assistance an important source of health financing in many low-income countries. However, despite its noble declared intentions, the effectiveness and the role of ODA in reducing poverty and enhancing well-being remains controversial. The success of DAH is also questioned, as there are concerns that global health initiatives might affect health systems adversely. Thus, the intention of this thesis is to examine the effects of international aid on the local development of recipient countries. In particular, the focus will be on the impact of Italian external intervention on Mozambique’s health system, using as case study the UR-Beira project, which aims at strengthening emergency health services managed by local authorities in the district of Beira (Mozambique).