WASHINGTON: “Economic upheavals of a magnitude previously associated only with major wars and depressions” have forced a billion of the world’s poorest people to face a “desperate” future, the President of the World Bank, Robert S. McNamara warned today [Sept 30]. Addressing the joint annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, Mr. McNamara added that the consequences of a continual rise in prices and drop in foreign assistance on those whom he termed “marginal men” could only be described as “appalling”.

Describing the plight of the poorest member nations of his 125-member institution, Mr. McNamara said: “Almost every element in the current situation has worked to their disadvantage, and has been compounded even further for many … by natural disasters. … These countries, then need additional assistance on concessionary terms, and they need it promptly. … He urged the wealthy nations to “get on” with the development task, and to be generous too in doing so for the poorest countries. … He said “I believe the World Bank group must expand its lending to the maximum permitted by prudent financial management and the availability of funds.” — News agencies

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2024