Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust

What is the CCRT?

The Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) provides grants for debt relief for the poorest and most vulnerable countries hit by catastrophic natural disasters or public health disasters. The relief on debt service payments to the IMF frees up resources to help countries meet exceptional balance of payments needs created by the disaster and to pay for containment and recovery.

The CCRT replaced the IMF’s Post-Catastrophe Debt Relief Trust (PCDR) in April 2015 and expanded it to include fast-spreading epidemics, such as Ebola. In March 2020, the IMF adopted reforms to the CCRT to provide immediate debt service relief for its poorest and most vulnerable members affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The trust provides grants to eligible low-income member countries to pay debt service owed to the IMF if they face natural or public health disasters.

FAQ: CCRT