The World Bank is an international organization established in 1945 with the purposes of financing projects that aim to reduce poverty and support economic development. It has five agencies that provide financial and technical assistance to both developing and developed countries. The World Bank funds come from member contributions and bond issuances, and it provides direct loans, loan guarantees, and technical assistance to its members. While the World Bank has helped many developing countries with infrastructure projects and disaster relief, some criticize that it pushes a privatization agenda and that India's dependence on it has increased over time.