# Development cooperation

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Rich countries help Gambia to develop. In the past this was done by giving direct solotions to Gambia's problems, such as money, food, machines and doctors. This sort of help is called development aid. Today, Gambia is more of an equal partner. Its development plans are supported with advice and funding, promoting collaboration instead of just receiving aid. When countries help Gambia with aid and advice its called development cooperation.

Different types of aid:

1. Development Cooperation Aid – Support given through partnerships, including financial, food, or technical aid, to help a country grow.

2. Emergency Aid – Short-term help provided during natural disasters or wars to ensure people's survival.

3. Structural Aid – Long-term support focused on lasting improvements, such as training doctors and building water pipelines.

When we support Gambia with advice instead of just giving aid, it is no longer called development aid but development cooperation. Multiple donor countries provide aid and advice to Gambia. However, they are very careful when doing so because Gambia is considered a fragile state. A fragile state is a country that may face challenges such as weak government institutions, poverty, or political instability. Because these countries are fragile, there is a lot of criticism against development aid. Critics argue that Gambia may become too dependent on foreign support or that the money could end up in the wrong hands.

The Dutch government supports Gambia’s development projects through the United Nations (UN).

Development cooperation