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Aid is assistance given from one country to another. It includes money, equipment, training and loans. It can be foreign aid from the government of one country to another - or from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to a country or region. There are several different types of aid:

• Bilateral aid (also known as 'tied aid') - the country receiving the aid must spend the money on goods and services from the country providing it.
• Multilateral aid - high-income countries donate money through organisations such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank.
• Short-term emergency aid - provides immediate support during or after a disaster such as famine or a tsunami. It includes food, medicines and tents.
• Long-term aid - such as education for young people, is a continuous programme which aims to improve standards of living.
• Debt abolition - is when richer countries cancel the debt owed to them by poorer countries.
• Non-governmental aid - aid provided via charities. This type of aid may provide emergency relief or may support small-scale projects such as wells to provide clean water.