After Covid-19, it's in everyone's interest to help the world's poorest countries | Mark Lowcock

Without $90bn in aid we will see soaring conflict, poverty, hunger and global instability. But a relief package is viable

• Mark Lowcock is the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.
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As individuals, families, industries and nations plot their course through this pandemic, there is a painful truth that is yet to be properly acknowledged. The Covid-19 pandemic - and the resulting global recession - is going to have a devastating and destabilising effect in the world's poorest countries.

In response, wealthy countries and international financial institutions will need to fundamentally shift their approach to aid and debt. This cannot be business as usual. Extraordinary measures are needed to tackle the extraordinary problem we face.

Related: While the west fixates on Covid-19, vulnerable countries pay the price

Mark Lowcock is the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.