The Response of the Multilateral Development Banks to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The purpose of this paper is to present the response of the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to the COVID-19 pandemic from its outbreak in January 2020 to May 2021. It focuses on the assistance they provided to their member countries during the health and economic crisis, the changes in their internal operations in the emergency situation and their vision of the post-pandemic future and future plans. The paper uses an analytical approach based on secondary research. Data is from open access sources through the Web. Findings show that MDBs reacted quickly, adapted and intensified their funding activity, adjusted their internal operation due to the pandemic and they are seeking to “build back better” in the future. It can be concluded, that the pandemic response of the MDBs has strengthened their role in the global development arena.