Journal of International Development
May 2015 Volume 27, Issue 4 Pages 415–572
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jid.v27.4/issuetoc

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Why Aid is Unpredictable: An Empirical Analysis of the Gap Between Actual and Planned Aid Flows (pages 440–463)
Gustavo Javier Canavire-Bacarreza, Eric Neumayer and Peter Nunnenkamp
Article first published online: 22 JAN 2015 | DOI: 10.1002/jid.3073
Abstract
Aid flows continue to be volatile and unpredictable, even though it is widely accepted that this erodes the effectiveness of foreign aid. We argue that fragmented donor–recipient relationships, notably the large number of minor aid relations that tend to be associated with donors’ desire to ‘fly their flag’ around the world, increase aid unpredictability. Our empirical analysis of the determinants of aid unpredictability suggests that aid becomes less predictable with more fragmented donor–recipient relationships. Specifically, the effect of fragmentation on overshooting previous spending plans is statistically significant and substantively important. In contrast, fragmented donor–recipient relationships have no effect on the shortfall of actual aid compared with donors’ spending plans.

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Poverty and Natural Resources Degradation: Analysis of their Interactions in Lake Tana Basin, Ethiopia (pages 516–527)
Berihun Daregot, Bogale Ayalneh, Kassa Belay and Abebaw Degnet
Article first published online: 25 APR 2013 | DOI: 10.1002/jid.2914
Abstract
Developing a clear understanding of the links between poverty and natural resources degradation remained a vital task in the poverty reduction and sustainable resources conservation process. Accordingly, this paper explores the poverty and natural resources degradation linkages in Lake Tana Basin of Ethiopia. With the application of simultaneous order probit econometric model, this paper argues that a one-sided argument of poverty that causes natural resources degradation is challenged, as poverty not only contributes to natural resources degradation but also natural resources degradation contributes to poverty along with other factors.

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Multi-Local Livelihoods and Food Security in Rural Africa (pages 528–545)
Agnes Andersson Djurfeldt
Article first published online: 4 FEB 2014 | DOI: 10.1002/jid.2991
Abstract
This article analyses household-based food transfers as an expression of multi-local livelihoods. Transfers of maize outside the co-resident household unit are analysed on the basis of data from 2857 smallholder households across nine African countries. The study complements a growing interest in the role of food transfers for urban food security, through considering the food security implications for sending households. Food transfers in the top income quintile consist of distributing surplus production, whereas in the lower quintiles, transfers clearly compromise the food security of the sending households. The spatial mismatch between household production and consumption points to the need for development strategies that consider these wider subsistence obligations.