The World Bank Group has announced plans to provide up to $100 billion in assistance over the next 15 months to support developing nations affected by the economic repercussions of the Middle East conflict. Initially, the organization will allocate between $50 billion and $60 billion, with $25 billion already earmarked for immediate use to aid countries facing economic strains due to the conflict.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the World Bank Group has outlined its commitment to scaling up support to $80–100 billion over the next 15 months if the conflict and its economic impacts persist. The funding is aimed at bolstering social safety nets, reinforcing government finances, and offering working capital and liquidity support to businesses and farms impacted by the crisis.
World Bank President Ajay Banga emphasized the institution’s primary focus on assisting countries in managing the current shock while upholding long-term development objectives. Banga highlighted the importance of safeguarding people and stability in the present without compromising future growth and employment prospects.
The World Bank’s initiative comes as it revises its global economic growth forecast for 2026 to 2.5 percent, the slowest rate since the Covid-19 pandemic, citing factors such as heightened energy costs, escalating inflation, and tighter financial conditions linked to the conflict. Developing economies are anticipated to grow by only 3.6 percent this year, a decline from 4.4 percent in 2025, marking a post-pandemic low.
