Global coronavirus cases surpass one million,The World Bank has approved USD 1 billion emergency funding for India

Global coronavirus cases have surpassed one million figure. According to World Health Organization, over ten lakh cases have been recorded across 188 countries, including 51,718 deaths.

Of these fatalities, nearly three-quarters of the deaths are in Europe. A total of 37,709 deaths have been recorded in Europe, with Italy registering 13,915, followed by Spain with ten thousand deaths, France with 5,387 and the United States with 5,316.

The United States and Canada have 235,900 cases and 5,427 deaths and Asia has 112,061 cases with 3,998 deaths.

World Bank approves $1 billion emergency fund for India: Coronavirus
The World Bank has approved USD 1 billion emergency funding for India to help it tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

The World Bank’s first set of aid projects, amounting to USD 1.9 billion, will assist 25 countries, and new operations are moving forward in over 40 nations using the fast-track process, the bank said on Thursday.

The largest chunk of the emergency financial assistance has gone to India – USD 1 billion.

“In India, USD 1 billion emergency financing will support better screening, contact tracing, and laboratory diagnostics; procure personal protective equipment; and set up new isolation wards,” the World Bank said after its Board of Executive Directors approved the first set of emergency support operations for developing countries around the world, using a dedicated, fast-track facility for COVID-19 response.

In South Asia, the World Bank also approved USD 200 million for Pakistan, USD 100 million for Afghanistan, USD 7.3 million for the Maldives and USD 128.6 million for Sri Lanka.