In addition, the World Bank said it was working to redeploy resources in existing World Bank financed projects worth up to US$1.7 billion. The Bank has said it is prepared to spend up to US$160 billion over the next 15 months to combat the pandemic.

India, the third largest economy in Asia, will receive US$1 billion to support better screening for the virus, contact tracing and laboratory diagnostics; pay for personal protective equipment; and set up new isolation wards for those infected.

World Bank Group President David Malpass said the Bank was moving quickly to strengthen the ability of developing countries to respond to the fast-spreading virus, and shorten the time to economic and social recovery.

“The poorest and most vulnerable countries will likely be hit the hardest, and our teams around the world remain focused on country-level and regional solutions to address the ongoing crisis,” Malpass said in a statement.