Washington, 04 March-(ANA)-The world's poorest countries are beginning to be hit by the global financial crisis, warns the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
And they are likely to need $25bn (£18bn) in additional financing this year, the organisation says.
The IMF describes it as the "third wave" of the downturn; after first affecting the advanced and then the emerging economies.
And it is calling on donor countries not to cut back on their support.
In a new report, the IMF says poor countries face greater exposure to the current crisis because they are more integrated into the international economy than they used to be.
They are likely to feel the impact through a downturn in trade and falls in foreign investment and remittances - money sent home by people working abroad, the fund adds. (ANA)
Cocoa/Prices up