Colombia received US$536 million in international aid in 2009, the Presidential Agency for Social Action announced Thursday.
The figure represents a 35% increase from the sum received in 2008, and forms part of almost US$2 billion received since 2003.
Donors include countries such as the U.S., Spain, Germany, and Japan, and charities such as the Water Fund and the Global Fund for HIV and Malaria. International bodies that have donated money to Colombia include the World Food Program, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Office of UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
International NGOs donated more than US$6 million, mostly targeted at poverty reduction, health, and education programs, while donations from the private sector amounted to nearly US$4 million.
2,391 projects funded by international aid are currently running in Colombia.
The director of the Agency for Social Action, Diego Molano Aponte, stated that “the results are a demonstration of the international community’s confidence in the country, and in the Agency for Social Action as one of the leading agencies in Latin America.”
He added that “foreign aid complements the national government’s efforts and resources for social investment and development.”