ADB to roll out financial support package amid Middle East crisis

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March 26, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing a financial support package to help mitigate the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict.

“ADB will deliver rapid, flexible and scalable assistance to help countries manage immediate pressures and strengthen long-term resilience, notably fast-disbursing budget support and trade and supply chain finance to secure the import of essential goods, now including oil,” ADB president Masato Kanda said in a statement.

“This builds on our strong track record of supporting Asia and the Pacific through periods of global uncertainty,” he said.

The support package is intended to help developing member-countries manage risks by maintaining macroeconomic stability and protecting vulnerable populations.

In particular, the first component is a fast-disbursing budget support for countries facing heightened fiscal pressures.

This will involve the use of the bank’s Countercyclical Support Facility to help governments stabilize their economies and mitigate the impact of shocks on the lives and livelihoods of those most at risk.

The second component is the Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program, which supports the private sector by ensuring continued flow of critical imports including energy and food supplies.

Given the severe effect of rising oil prices and supply chain disruptions, ADB decided to reactivate support for oil imports under the program on an exceptional basis for a limited period.

Discussions with severely affected developing member-countries have already started on possible immediate support.

To ensure coordinated and effective response, ADB said it would continue to work closely with governments, development partners and the private sector.

While ADB is providing emergency support, it said that existing operations and planned initiatives would continue.

At present, the multilateral lender is closely monitoring global market developments and the potential effects on Asia-Pacific, particularly on energy prices, inflation and external account balances.

Based on its latest analysis, ADB found that disruptions to shipping routes have already increased costs and delivery times.

ADB said supply risks extend beyond energy and include key industrial inputs such as petrochemicals and fertilizers, which may impact agriculture and food production.

It also cited risks to tourism- and remittance-dependent economies including the Philippines.

In addition, it said heightened uncertainty and tighter financial conditions are putting pressure on currencies and capital flows.