The World Bank announced on Wednesday a $93bn replenishment package of the International Development Association to help 74 low-income countries respond to the COVID-19 crisis and build a greener, more resilient, and inclusive future. The Bretton Woods institution said in a statement that the financing brought together $23.5bn of contributions from 48 high- and middle-income countries with financing raised in the capital markets, repayments, and the World Bank’s own contributions. It described the financing package, agreed over a two-day meeting hosted virtually by Japan, as the largest ever mobilised in IDA’s 61-year history. World Bank Group President, David Malpass, said, “Today’s generous commitment by our partners is a critical step toward supporting poor countries in their efforts to recover from the COVID-19 crisis. “We are grateful for the confidence our partners have in IDA as a non-fragmented and efficient platform to tackle development challenges and improve the lives of millions of people around the world.” The multilateral institution said the funds would be delivered to the world’s 74 poorest countries under the 20th replenishment (IDA20) programme, which focuses on helping countries recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

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