World Bank pledges $12bn to support low-income countries hit by shortages
The World Bank plans to spend $12bn (£9.6bn) to support low-income countries hit by shortages of food and fertilisers that have pushed prices higher since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Sudan, where inflation has rocketed above 250%, is expected to be among the countries that will benefit from the initiative, which the Washington-based organisation said should alleviate shortages over the next 18 months.
It said the $12bn pledge will raise its overall commitment of unspent funds to $30bn from a budget of $170bn as it seeks to prevent low-income countries from being hit by famine and political unrest.
In recent days, the UN World Food Programme’s director has warned that war, extreme weather and Covid-19 are driving global food prices to levels “that will cause social unrest in some parts of the world”.
Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa’s most populous country, has seen inflation rise to a more modest 16%, though food inflation topped 18% last month, leading to calls for the government to increase support for low-income households.
The World Bank said new and existing projects would receive $30bn – covering areas such as innovative agriculture, water and irrigation schemes, and higher welfare payments to the poorest families.
The World Bank president, David Malpass, said loans would allow farmers to fund investments in new methods of food production with lower use of fertiliser.
Governments that have reacted to the crisis by restricting exports of food – such as India – were castigated by Malpass for making the global situation worse. He said that to boost next season’s production, there needed to be lower trade barriers, a more efficient use of fertilisers, and “repurposing public policies and expenditures to better support farmers
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