Meeting U.S. Political Objectives Through Economic Aid in the Middle East and Southern Africa

The Economic Support Fund (ESF) is intended to advance U.S. political interest and demonstrate the U.S. commitment to, and concern for countries receiving such economic assistance. Notwithstanding the political focus of the fund, Congress has stressed in recent years that the assistance should, to the extent possible, be responsive to the New Directions policy set forth in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Most economic achievements of the fund have resulted from program assistance, specifically, large disbursements made against cash transfers, budget support, and commodity import forms of assistance. Substantial sums have been provided to ESF countries through various forms of program assistance to promote economic stability as well as advance political objectives and absorb high aid levels. The assistance has been instrumental in promoting a stable economic environment in Egypt and in Israel immediately after the 1973 October war. For Syria and Zambia, program assistance has helped increase the productive capacity of selective sectors. The continued need for high levels of program assistance will have to be based on an assessment of whether it is the appropriate tool for furthering particular economic and political objectives. Although progress has been made, program orientation can be expanded to meet basic human needs. Expanded efforts need to be made to facilitate participation of the urban poor in the development process and assist the poor in increasing their incomes through expanded training opportunities.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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