We are ill prepared for a devastating pandemic, the World Bank warns
New York — Most of the world is failing to invest enough money to prevent the potential global spread of disease that could kill millions of people and cripple economies, the World Bank said on Thursday. Faced with a pandemic, an unprepared planet could lose billions to trillions of dollars, a significant chunk of the global GDP, it said in a report. Yet containing pandemics — diseases that spread globally compared with epidemics that are localised — would cost about $1/person a year in investment, the Bank said. "Given the scale of risk to human lives and livelihoods, the investment case for financing preparedness is compelling," said Peter Sands, chairman of the bank’s Working Group on Financing Preparedness, which wrote the report. "We must make it happen," he said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.