BERLIN — It is easy to understand why climate change activists might be looking at the aggressive global response to COVID-19 with some envy.
With some notable exceptions, the pandemic has spurred a rapid, globally coordinated reaction. It has also unlocked significant money — including grants and support worth $160 billion from the World Bank and $1 billion from The Global Fund — some of it targeted at shoring up health systems in low- and middle-income countries that have been overwhelmed by the virus and ensuring they are better prepared for the next pandemic.
The World Bank is making its funding, which includes a specific focus on addressing health implications, available over 15 months. And The Global Fund has released an initial allocation of $500 million aimed at mitigating the impact of the pandemic on countries’ HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria programs.