World Bank pledges $12bn in emergency aid

The World Bank has committed $12bn in aid for developing countries grappling with the spread of the coronavirus.

The aid is intended to help countries improve their public health response to the crisis, as well as work with the private sector to reduce the economic impact.

The organisation said it would prioritize the poorest and most at-risk countries in distributing the aid to counter the effects of the virus, which has spread to more than 70 countries around the world.

The emergency package includes low-cost loans, grants and technical assistance.