Official Development Assistance (ODA) to conflict-affected countries has increased over the last dozen years or so.Yet, these flows are volatile and concentrated in a few countries, leaving several ‘aid orphans’ with minimal external assistance.

The majority of this increase is a result of aid channelled through traditional development and humanitarian financing instruments. Alongside these, however, multilateral organisations have also developed specific instruments targeting causes of conflict and providing financing for specific peacebuilding activities.

Whilst financing for peacebuilding has increased, overall it remains low in comparison to total aid flows to conflict-affected states, especially within ‘aid orphans’. Furthermore, the growth of complexity in the absence of coordination mechanisms for peacebuilding financing has arguably contributed to gaps, particularly in areas balancing risk tolerance with long-term commitments