Blind Spot: The continuing failure of the World Bank and IMF to fully assess the impact of their advice on poor people

Overview

It seems impossible that the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) would give advice to developing countries without fully considering how it might affect the lives of poor people. Yet, despite it being a long-stated policy of both institutions to do so, and some recent progress on the part of the IMF, they are still failing to consistently ensure that there is a proper assessment of the likely consequences of different policy actions on the poorest people. It is particularly important that this issue is discussed as the World Bank is negotiating new funds from donors. Donors should insist on these changes being implemented to ensure that their money is more likely to result in genuine, sustainable poverty reduction.