ZCZC
BSS-09
WB-ASSISTANCE-BANGLADESH
WB approves $350m grant for three Bangladesh projects
DHAKA, April 1, 2020 (BSS) – The World Bank has approved $350 million
grant for three projects to help Bangladesh cope with one of the world’s
largest forced exodus.
These grants will help Bangladesh address the needs of the host communities
and the displaced Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar district including health services,
response to gender-based violence, social protection, basic services and
infrastructure, said a press release received here today.
“Bangladesh has shown great leadership by providing shelter to around 1.1
million Rohingya, which is about three times of the local population in
Teknaf and Ukhia upazilas. Naturally, this has placed immense strain on
existing infrastructure and social service delivery, and increased health and
disaster risks,” said Mercy Tembon, World Bank Country Director for
Bangladesh and Bhutan.
“The three grants will cater to the needs of both the host and Rohingya
communities. At the same time, they will strengthen the country’s service
delivery capacity and increase resilience to natural disaster and climate
change.” added the World Bank country Director.
The release said the $150 million Health and Gender Support Project for
Cox’s Bazar District will enable 3.6 million people including the Rohingya to
have access to health, nutrition and family planning services as well as
address gender-based violence through preventive and response services.
The infant mortality rate and prevalence of stunting in Cox’s Bazar is
higher than national average. The project will renovate and upgrade health
facilities in Cox’s Bazar, including District Sadar Hospital and the Mother
and Child Welfare Center in the localities; and the Women Friendly Spaces
inside the Rohingya camps.
The project will also help fill vacant positions of health professionals
and ensure adequate medical supplies.
Within the Rohingya camps, the project will provide psychosocial
counseling, immunization, Tuberculosis screening and treatment and nutrition
services.
The $100 million additional financing to the Emergency Multi-Sector
Rohingya Crisis Response Project will scale up access to energy, water,
sanitation and disaster-resilient infrastructures for the Rohingya and the
surrounding host communities, the release continued.
The project will benefit about 780,800 people, including 140,800 local
people with better public infrastructure, it said, adding this includes
access to improved water sources for 365,800 people and better sanitation for
171,800 people.
It will help build 40 multi-purpose disaster shelters, accessible to
81,000 people. The project will also support renewable energy systems using
solar photovoltaic nano-grid schemes to increase access to clean electricity
and install around 4,000 solar street lights, 975 lightning protection
systems and build 250 km of climate resilient roads.
It will also help government agencies to strengthen institutional systems
and capacities to plan, coordinate and respond to crisis and emergencies.
The $100 million additional financing to the Safety Net Systems for the
Poorest Project will help provide livelihoods and income support to poor and
vulnerable households in the host communities using an existing national
safety net program, Employment Generation Program for the Poorest; and scale-
up social assistance coverage to the Rohingya under the Emergency Multi-
Sector Rohingya Crisis Response Project.
The additional financing will benefit 40,000 host community households and
85,000 Rohingya households.
With these three grants, the World Bank has provided a total of $480
million in grants to enable Bangladesh to deal with the displaced population
inflow.
Bangladesh currently has one of the largest IDA programs totaling $11.8
billion. Since independence, the World Bank has committed more than $30
billion in grants, interest-free, and concessional credits to the country.
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