The prevalence of fragility, conflict and violence (FCV) in the World Bank Group¡¯s client countries has both increased and become more persistent in recent years.8 There are now more violent conflicts globally than at any time in the past 30 years, resulting in the largest forced displacement crisis (both foreign and domestic) that the world has experienced since World War II. On top of this, the World Bank Group estimates that the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed an additional 20 million people living in fragile and conflict-affected situations into extreme poverty.9 By 2030, two-thirds of the world¡¯s extreme poor are expected to live in countries where fragility has become the norm.
Faced with worsening FCV dynamics, the Bank Group adopted its 2020-2025 FCV Strategy to change the way it works in these settings. It is getting involved sooner and staying engaged longer to help countries better address the drivers and impacts of FCV and strengthen their resilience, especially for their most vulnerable and marginalized populations. The Bank Group¡¯s COVID-19 response and ongoing work over the last five years speak to its increased focus on FCV, supported by trust funds and FIFs.