In a joint oral statement at the 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), ImpACT International for Human Rights Policies and IRDG stressed the need for immediate mitigation of human rights issues arising from Official Development Assistance in developing and under-developed countries.

Both organizations recognize that due to direct government-to-government dialogue, bilateral aid has essentially ignored the primary needs and concerns of people that experience the most deprivation.

Development assistance projects to struggling economies has created a vicious cycle under which recipient countries have grown highly dependent on aid from governments and Bretton Wood Institutions

“Ultimately, development assistance projects to struggling economies has created a vicious cycle under which recipient countries have grown highly dependent on aid from governments and Bretton Wood Institutions”, exclaimed Lara Hamidi, Principle Researcher at ImpACT International. An example of this dependency “lies with the proposed economic reforms by the Bretton Wood Institutions towards beneficiary countries, that lead to increased free trade, alleviating prices of goods and services whilst affecting local business and domestic communities”.

ImpACT and IRDG have urged the UNHRC to encourage recipient states to exercise their power to dictate development policies that stop them from being coerced into international agreements, projects, and policies that may not directly address the needs of the people. If implemented properly, foreign aid resources will be applied more effectively and pull citizens out of poverty.

Despite clear patterns showing Official Development Assistance create more harm than good to the global south, their projects are still being used. In light of this, ImpACT International and IRDG warn the council as to the damage international aid has done to the promotion of growth and the reduction of poverty in the world.