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World Bank approves $350M Iraq aid package
7/9/15
WASHINGTON: The World Bank approved a $350 million financial assistance package to help rebuild infrastructure in Iraq that was damaged by war.
The World Bank said its project in Iraq would support the reconstruction of the country’s conflict-wrecked infrastructure and restore public services in municipal areas under government control.
“The $350 million financial assistance package, approved by the World Bank Board of Directors Tuesday will contribute to Iraq’s efforts to rebuild state institutions and put the economy on the path to recovery in areas where conflict has subsided,” the World Bank said in a statement.
It added that the Iraq Emergency Operation for Development aims to respond to the crisis caused by the security situation and the sharp decrease in global oil prices.
The latest aid is part of a larger program to be carried out over a five-year period in two conflict-affected governorates, Salahuddin and Diyala, covering seven cities: Tikrit, Dour, Dhuluiyah, Al-Alam, Jalula, As-Sadiya and Al-Azeeam.
“In its first year, the project will support the repair and reconstruction of damaged power, water and sanitation networks as well roads and bridges. It would improve health care services by supporting mobile hospitals and clinics, medical equipment and ambulances,” the World Bank explained.
The scheme will also see damaged houses rebuilt.
The statement added that these activities should help promote trust between citizens and the state, and generate local jobs.
“This is a challenging, extremely important operation for which the Bank is playing its role fully by accepting to take on the risks associated to any engagement in fragile settings,” said Ferid Belhaj, World Bank Country Director for the Mashreq region.
“The project focuses on immediate needs by improving critical services in areas that had been distressed by conflict, but also builds on the medium term sustainability that strengthened institutions can secure, and aims at improving the relationship between citizens and the state through dynamic engagement.”
The World Bank said Iraq’s government strategy is to jump-start the delivery of basic services and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in areas free of the insurgency.
It added that the close, continuous coordination will ensure the activities financed benefit the areas to which internally displaced people are expected to return.
“Iraq has enormous development needs,” said Ibrahim Dajani, World Bank Senior Operations Officer and Project Team Leader, “and we are working very closely with our counterparts on tackling these needs.
He added that the project lays the groundwork for a medium- to longer-term development agenda, covering multiple sectors such as health, housing, transport corridors and urban development.
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7/9/15
WASHINGTON: The World Bank approved a $350 million financial assistance package to help rebuild infrastructure in Iraq that was damaged by war.
The World Bank said its project in Iraq would support the reconstruction of the country’s conflict-wrecked infrastructure and restore public services in municipal areas under government control.
“The $350 million financial assistance package, approved by the World Bank Board of Directors Tuesday will contribute to Iraq’s efforts to rebuild state institutions and put the economy on the path to recovery in areas where conflict has subsided,” the World Bank said in a statement.
It added that the Iraq Emergency Operation for Development aims to respond to the crisis caused by the security situation and the sharp decrease in global oil prices.
The latest aid is part of a larger program to be carried out over a five-year period in two conflict-affected governorates, Salahuddin and Diyala, covering seven cities: Tikrit, Dour, Dhuluiyah, Al-Alam, Jalula, As-Sadiya and Al-Azeeam.
“In its first year, the project will support the repair and reconstruction of damaged power, water and sanitation networks as well roads and bridges. It would improve health care services by supporting mobile hospitals and clinics, medical equipment and ambulances,” the World Bank explained.
The scheme will also see damaged houses rebuilt.
The statement added that these activities should help promote trust between citizens and the state, and generate local jobs.
“This is a challenging, extremely important operation for which the Bank is playing its role fully by accepting to take on the risks associated to any engagement in fragile settings,” said Ferid Belhaj, World Bank Country Director for the Mashreq region.
“The project focuses on immediate needs by improving critical services in areas that had been distressed by conflict, but also builds on the medium term sustainability that strengthened institutions can secure, and aims at improving the relationship between citizens and the state through dynamic engagement.”
The World Bank said Iraq’s government strategy is to jump-start the delivery of basic services and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in areas free of the insurgency.
It added that the close, continuous coordination will ensure the activities financed benefit the areas to which internally displaced people are expected to return.
“Iraq has enormous development needs,” said Ibrahim Dajani, World Bank Senior Operations Officer and Project Team Leader, “and we are working very closely with our counterparts on tackling these needs.
He added that the project lays the groundwork for a medium- to longer-term development agenda, covering multiple sectors such as health, housing, transport corridors and urban development.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
