One of the curious aspects of the first few months of the global coronavirus pandemic is that the virus has spread further and faster through the developed world. Countries in the global south, with crumbling healthcare systems, weaker sanitation, and poorer populations and governments, have- so far-not experienced the same level of cases or deaths.
That is likely to change. As it does, the question of how the rich world helps the poor deal with the crisis will be vital. Debt relief needs to be at the top of the list-aid given with one hand cannot be taken with the other. And when-if?- a vaccine is successfully developed, they will need it just as badly as we will. It is reassuring, therefore, to hear a minister argue, as Wendy Morton does on p2, that “no one is safe until we are all safe.”
Coronavirus will also have an impact on the future of aid. The budget of the Department for International Development (Dfid) will dramatically reduce. Even if the government sticks to its promise-and the law-to spend 0.7 per cent of GDP on overseas development assistance, it will be 0.7 per cent of a smaller pot. Donations have also begun to dry up. Aid agencies will have less money-many are already closing country offices and laying off staff.