official development assistance

Official development assistance (ODA) is money that is provided by developed countries to underdeveloped countries with the purpose of helping them to reduce economic disparities and meet their social and economic goals. ODA is typically provided in the form of grants, loans and technical assistance, and is often used in the areas of poverty alleviation, healthcare, education and infrastructure development. ODA can be bilateral, meaning it is given directly from one government to another, or it can be multilateral, meaning it is channeled through an international organization such as the World Bank. ODA is an important part of the international community’s effort to reduce poverty, promote development and expand the global economy.