COVID-19: Up to $12 billion immediate support for country response

PLUS: We are working with partners to accelerate the international response to COVID-19. [Having trouble seeing this email?](  [Medical technicians working with bags blood at Hanoi Blood Transfusion Center in Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo © Dominic Chavez/World Bank](  [World Bank Group announces up to $12 billion immediate support for COVID-19 country response]( As COVID-19 spreads around the world, the World Bank Group is making available an initial package of up to $12 billion in immediate support to assist countries coping with the health and economic impacts of the global outbreak. [Facebook]( [Twitter](   [World Bank Group Headquarters. Photo: © Grant Ellis/World Bank](  [The World Bank Group and COVID-19 (coronavirus)]( Learn how we are coordinating with partners to accelerate the international response and support countries to manage the global health emergency. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [In Vietnam, IFC's support is focused especially on local businesses in trade and supply-chain linkages. © Kibae Park/UN Photo](  [How can we support jobs and growth amid the spread of COVID-19?]( Vietnamese businesses are experiencing disruptions due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). Find out how the World Bank Group’s private sector arm, International Finance Corporation (IFC), is helping soften the impact on the Vietnamese economy and private sector. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Blogs ---------------------------------------------------------------  [A teacher talks to her students during class at Billy Town Public School in Billy Town, Liberia after the threat of Ebola outbreak diminishes on March 5, 2015. Photo: © Dominic Chavez/World Bank]( [Stories, data, and plans: Preparing for the next pandemic]( “On any rational cost-benefit basis, investing in preparedness, whether for pandemics or natural hazards, is possibly one of the best investments any country can make. A dollar spent on preparedness for disasters is worth about $15 in terms of the future damage it mitigates. In the case of pandemics, a 2017 World Bank report found that that annually it would take less than $1 per person globally to put in place robust mechanisms to prepare for the next (inevitable) pandemic.” -Abhas Jha – February 20 [Facebook]( [Twitter]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Social Media --------------------------------------------------------------- [BREAKING: The @WorldBank Group is providing up to $12 billion in immediate support for countries coping with the health and economic impacts of the #COVID19 outbreak.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- In the News --------------------------------------------------------------- - [Joint Statement from Managing Director, IMF and President, World Bank Group]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Data Chart --------------------------------------------------------------- [Chart: Countries with low access to basic handwashing facilities are concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa ]( With the current flu season predicted to be especially severe, as well the recent COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, people are rightfully concerned about their health. From flu shots to face masks, many are taking extra measures to protect themselves from infection. But there is also a simple and effective way to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases—handwashing. But there are still many who don’t have basic handwashing facilities at home, especially in low- and lower middle-income countries. [Read More.](  [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [instagram]( [instagram]( Accredited journalists may obtain advance access to reports and information by registering with the Bank's [Online Media Briefing Center]( a password-protected site for working journalists. Material in this newsletter is copyrighted. Requests to reproduce it, in whole or in part, should be addressed to pubrights@worldbank.org For more information visit our website: [worldbank.org](. [Access to Information]( [Other Bank Newsletters]( | [Privacy Policy]( [Unsubscribe from this list]( | [Update subscription preferences](