World Bank donates billions to struggling countries in crisis

By Jessica Stanic on Thursday, 2 July 2009

The World Bank has announced it donated a record $US58.8 billion ($A72.98 billion) in the 2009 fiscal year to help struggling countries cope with the global economic crisis.

The commitment marks a 54 percent increase on the previous year, fuelled by a staggering amount of requests for assistance.

Commenting on the donation, World Bank president Robert Zoellick said: “’Millions of people are still suffering, and we must continue to help countries safeguard priority expenditures, including on essential infrastructure, investment in human capital, and social safety nets.”