The United Nations has launched a huge humanitarian funding drive to help fight Covid-19 in the most vulnerable countries.

It is asking all states that can, to contribute to $2bn (£1.7bn) in cash for nations that will struggle to contain the outbreak.

The world body says a number of those countries are already devastated by conflict or natural disasters.

"To leave the world’s poorest and most vulnerable countries to their fate would be both cruel and unwise," warned the UN's Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock.

"If we leave coronavirus to spread freely in these places, we would be placing millions at high risk, whole regions will be tipped into chaos and the virus will have the opportunity to circle back around the globe."

It is hoped that the extra funds raised will provide vulnerable countries with laboratory test equipment, handwashing facilities in refugee camps and an airbridge for humanitarian workers to get to the worst affected areas.