Engaging with Fragile States : An IEG Review of World Bank Support to Low-Income Countries Under Stress

The review was conducted in partnership with the Evaluation Department of Norad, which provided both substantive

and financial support.

The number of fragile states has increased sharply, from 17 in 2003 to 28 in 2006, according to a new report from the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG). While governance has improved in some countries, such as Angola or Tajikistan, the continuation of the overall negative trend could pose a serious risk to regional and global security, warns IEG. The report argues that in order to avoid deepening poverty in fragile states with its adverse spillover effects - such as conflict, terrorism and epidemic diseases - the international community and the Bank need to find more effective ways of assisting these countries.