oil-exporting countries have used part of their petrodollar surpluses to fund foreign aid programs, as a prominent example of so-called "checkbook diplomacy" or "petro-islam". the kuwait fund was an early leader since 1961, and certain arab nations became some of the largest donors in the years since 1974, including through the imf and the opec fund for international development. oil exporters have also aided poorer nations indirectly through the personal remittances sent home by tens of millions of foreign workers in the middle east, although their working conditions are generally harsh. even more controversially, several oil exporters have been major financial supporters of armed groups challenging the governments of other countries.