World Bank chief calls for dramatic hike in funding to help developing world

Outgoing boss David Malpass says more money needed to combat overlapping crises of war, pandemics and climate emergency

A dramatic increase in financial help is needed to help poor countries meet the $2.4tn (1.9tn) annual cost of coping with the combined impact of wars, pandemics and the climate crisis, the outgoing head of the World Bank has said.

Speaking in Niger, David Malpass defended his record for funding support for developing countries since becoming president of the Washington-based organisation and said further increases would probably be announced at the Bank's spring meeting next month.