International Development Association

A big group helps the poorest lands.

They give money to help these places grow. This money helps build long roads. It also helps build many bridges.

They help many children stay healthy. The group helps many people get clean water. This makes life better for them.

They have helped many countries for a long time. This work helps reduce poverty in the world.

It is a very big job.

The International Development Association, or IDA, helps the world's poorest countries.

It is part of the World Bank Group. The IDA is based in Washington, D.C. It was started in 1960.

Many countries needed help to grow. They could not afford regular loans. The IDA gives special loans and grants. These are low-cost ways to get money. This helps nations reduce poverty. The IDA is the largest giver of funds for these projects.

Between 2000 and 2010, the IDA did much work. It helped train 3 million teachers. It helped 310 million children get medicine. The IDA also helped build 118,000 kilometers of roads. It helped 113 million people get clean water.

Since 1960, the IDA has given $238 billion. It has 173 member countries. Many of the countries it helps are in Africa. Some countries grow strong enough to stop using IDA funds. We call this graduating. The IDA works to make life better for everyone.

The International Development Association, known as the IDA, is a special group that helps the world's poorest nations.

It is a part of the World Bank Group. The group is based in Washington, D.C. The IDA provides what are called concessional loans and grants. These are much cheaper than regular loans. This help is for countries that cannot afford to borrow money from normal banks. The main goal of the IDA is to help these nations grow in a way that is fair and lasts a long time. By doing this, they hope to reduce poverty around the world.

To make this work, the IDA uses a specific system of lending. They look at how much money people in a country make. They also check if a country can easily borrow money from other places. If a country is very poor or has a hard time getting credit, they can get IDA help. This money goes toward important projects. For example, it can be used to build things like roads or bridges. It can also be used to help people get better health and education.

This way, the money helps people live better lives.

The idea for the IDA started many years ago. In the 1940s and 1950s, many developing countries realized they needed better ways to borrow money. They could not afford the terms offered by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Leaders in the United States and the United Nations discussed ways to help. In 1958, a resolution passed in the U.S. Senate to study this idea. Finally, in January 1960, fifteen countries signed the agreements to start the IDA. It officially launched in September 1960 with a budget of $913 million.

Since it began, the IDA has done a huge amount of work. It has given out a total of $238 billion in loans and grants. Between the years 2000 and 2010, the results were very big. The IDA helped train 3 million teachers. It helped 310 million children get medicine through immunizations. They also helped 113 million people get clean water. The IDA also funded $792 million for small and medium businesses. These numbers show how much the organization helps people every day.

Today, the IDA is a very large and important group. It has 173 member countries. The group is led by the World Bank Group president, Ajay Banga. A Board of Governors makes the big decisions. This board includes one person from each member country. The IDA also helps many countries in Africa. Some countries even grow so strong that they no longer need IDA help. This is called graduating from the program. When a country graduates, it means they are becoming more stable on their own.

The International Development Association, or IDA, is a specialized development finance institution. It is a member of the World Bank Group and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. The IDA focuses on providing concessional loans and grants to the world's poorest developing countries. Concessional lending means the terms are much more favorable than those found in commercial markets. This includes lower interest rates and longer repayment periods. The IDA aims to help these nations grow more quickly, equitably, and sustainably. By providing affordable financing, the IDA seeks to reduce global poverty.

The IDA operates through a specific assessment of a country's economic needs. To be eligible, a nation must meet certain criteria regarding its poverty levels. The IDA looks at a country's gross national income per person. It also evaluates a country's creditworthiness, or its ability to borrow money from private markets. If a country faces prohibitive credit risk, it cannot afford standard commercial loans. The IDA steps in to provide the necessary capital for economic and human development. This mechanism ensures that even the most vulnerable nations can fund essential projects.

The organization functions as a core part of the broader World Bank system. The IDA and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) are often called the World Bank. They share the same executive leadership and the same professional staff. While the IBRD focuses on different types of lending, the IDA is specifically for the poorest nations. This distinction allows the World Bank Group to address a wide range of economic needs. The IDA is currently the single largest provider of funds for development projects in the world's poorest countries.

The history of the IDA began with the economic challenges of the 1940s and 1950s. During this time, many developing countries found they could not afford IBRD loans. In 1949, U.S. President Harry S. Truman discussed ways to strengthen developing nations. There were debates about how to provide help, including ideas for a United Nations agency called SUNFED. However, a different idea gained more support in the United States. Senator Mike Monroney proposed a study to establish an association affiliated with the IBRD. This effort led to a resolution in the U.S. Senate in 1958. Finally, in January 1960, fifteen countries signed the articles of agreement. The IDA officially launched in September 1960 with an initial budget of $913 million.

Since its launch, the IDA has provided a massive amount of financial support. It has issued a total of US$238 billion in loans and grants. Between 2000 and 2010, the IDA's projects achieved significant results. It financed the recruitment and training of 3 million teachers. The association also funded immunizations for 310 million children. In terms of infrastructure, the IDA helped build or restore 118,000 kilometers of paved roads and 1,600 bridges. Additionally, it expanded access to improved water for 113 million people. These large-scale figures demonstrate the organization's wide-reaching impact on human life.

Governance of the IDA is handled by the World Bank's Board of Governors. This board consists of one governor from each member country. Most governors are a country's finance minister or treasury secretary. The Board of Governors delegates daily operational authority to a Board of Directors. This directorate includes 25 executive directors and is chaired by the World Bank Group president. Currently, Ajay Banga serves as the President of the World Bank Group. The IDA has 173 member countries that contribute funds every three years through a process called replenishment. While the World Bank has 187 members, decisions regarding the IDA involve its 172 specific member states.

The IDA also tracks the economic progress of its borrowing nations through graduation. A country "graduates" when it no longer meets the eligibility requirements for concessional lending. So far, 44 borrowing countries have graduated from the association. However, the process is not always permanent, as nine countries have relapsed and returned to borrowing status. Looking forward, researchers at the Center for Global Development expect changes in membership. They predict the number of eligible countries may decrease by half by the year 2025. This shift will require the IDA to examine its financial models and long-term strategies to remain effective.