World Bank Statement on Morocco Earthquake

WASHINGTON, September 9, 2023―The World Bank today issued the following statement in the wake of the Morocco earthquakes:

“Our hearts go out to the people of Morocco, who are suffering the effects of devastating earthquakes that have caused a tragic loss of life, injuries, and damages in the areas south of Marrakech. We have relayed our profoundest condolences to the Kingdom at the highest levels and offered our full support to the country in the wake of this catastrophe. Our sole focus at this stage is on the Moroccan people and the authorities who are dealing with this tragedy.” 

Contacts:

In Washington: Ashraf Al-Saeed, +1-202-473-1187, aalsaeed@worldbank.org

In Rabat: Meryam Benjelloun, +212659597046, mbenjelloun@worldbankgroup.org

Tackling Food Insecurity

Stories of resilience from Madagascar, the Central African Republic, and Egypt

We couldn’t even figure out how to face the next day or find food for our children.”
Volatsarasoa is a mother of four who lives in the village of Malangy, near the southern tip of Madagascar in one of the poorest regions in the country. With a fifth child on the way, she spends a lot of time thinking about a prosperous future for her children by learning from the experiences of her recent past.

When the El Niño phenomenon hit during the 2015-16 rainy season, Madagascar recieved just 50-80% of its normal precipitation – triggering a drought and crop yields that were 90% below normal.

“Me, my husband, and my children suffered a lot because there was no food, and we were starving. We barely ate, most of the time just a cup of rice for all of us, and only in the evening. It was very hard, and we couldn’t even figure out how to face the next day or find food for our children with everything going on I was worried. I was panicked.”

Building a better food system

More people than ever before—828 million, according to the most recent estimates—dofood_security_market1140x500.jpg not know where their next meal will come from. Yet we are producing more food than ever, with cereal grain production at an all-time high. How did we get so far off track in ending hunger and how do we get back on course?

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What do youth need from us right now?

World Water Week 2023

World Water Week 2023 is focused on innovation at a time of unprecedented challenges.

August 20-24, 2023
Online and Stockholm, Sweden

world-water-week2023-780 The theme, Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World, invites a rethink of how water is managed, and urges consideration of the ideas, innovations, and governance systems that are needed in an increasingly unstable and water scarce world.

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World Bank Announces New Steps to Add Billions in Financial Capacity

The World Bank is taking bold new steps to increase its lending capacity, a major boost in firepower that will give millions of people a chance to escape poverty and improve their lives.  At this critical moment in history, and echoing the calls from the international community, the Bank is doubling down to tackle intertwined challenges – jobs, climate, fragility, and pandemics. These efforts entail decisive action to build a better Bank to achieve a world free of poverty on a livable planet.

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Once again, IDA steps up with flexibility and resources amid crises

It feels like a lifetime ago, but somehow also like it was yesterday, that the COVID-19 crisisida-hero.jpg descended upon our lives. It caused unimaginable upheaval—reversing gains and creating colossal new demands. As well-resourced countries worked quickly to protect their people, the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) stepped up to ensure the poorest people were not left behind in this race to recovery. 

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