The principal source of information about the global level of ODA, ike comparative performance of donors, and the distribution amJong recipients as well as of the qualitative aspects of ODA is the Annual Review prepared by the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD. The Review is published in November of each year and typically comprises a discursive section dealing with a topical development issue (e.g. the African food crisis is the theme in 1984); a description of trends in the flows of total financial resources (both official and private) to developingcountries; sections on current trends and policy issues in ODA; and a lengthy statistical annex. The material belowis drawn by the author from the 1983 and 1984 Annual Reviews.