The number of countries in conflict has doubled in a decade, according to the president of the World Bank

Ukraine has come to swell the large number of countries suffering war, human tragedy and economic devastation, lamented on Monday the president of the World Bank, noting a doubling of the number of countries at war during the last decade. Highlighting the “horror” that has been playing out in Ukraine since the offensive launched by Russia 12 days ago, David Malpass noted that this conflict and others were undermining efforts to end poverty around the world.

“A massive flow of refugees”

“We estimate that 23 countries, with a combined population of 850 million people, are currently facing medium to high intensity conflict,” he said at the Fragility Forum, a biannual event, dedicated this year “ development and peace in uncertain times”. The number of these countries in conflict has doubled over the past ten years and “this has caused massive flows of refugees”, he added.

An increase in aid

Against this backdrop, the World Bank has “significantly increased its assistance to countries affected by fragility and conflict, from $3.9 billion in fiscal year 2016 to $15.8 billion in financial year 2021,” said the head of the World Bank. “Over the past four years, we have almost doubled our presence in fragile places” and “more than 1,200 employees at present” are mobilized, he said.