WASHINGTON, December 6, 2013 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved US$121.42 million in grants to support the Government of Mali as it works to rehabilitate basic infrastructure and restore productive economic activity, and address climate change impacts while building resiliency in communities that have been impacted by the country’s recent crisis.
“Mali is now on the path to recovery as key milestones have been reached towards the resolution of the recent political and security crises,” said Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Country Director for Mali. “We are delighted to support the Government’s plans and actions to rebuild infrastructure and promote climate change resiliency. Today’s projects will contribute towards reducing the vulnerability of the many communities and families affected by the multiple impacts of the crisis.”
The first International Development Association (IDA)* grant of $US100 million will support the Mali Government’s Reconstruction and Economic Recovery Project, and will contribute directly to the recovery objectives set by the Government in the 2013-14 Plan for the Sustainable Recovery of Mali (Plan pour la Relance Durable du Mali, PRED).
The Reconstruction and Economic Recovery Project will primarily focus on the rehabilitation of existing schools and education facilities, and also finance the infrastructure needs of local governments in the South that are host to internally displaced people affected by the crisis. This targeted support for service delivery will allow the conflict affected population to overcome the loss of productive assets and reinstate access to public infrastructure and services.
“The Reconstruction and Economic Recovery Project will promote engagement, dialogue and coordination among key stakeholders, especially at the community level in the planning and implementation oversight of investments, and in the process lay the foundations for greater social cohesion and local governance,” explained Zié Coulibaly, World Bank Senior Infrastructure Specialist and project Task Team Leader.
The second grant of US$21.42 million will fund Mali’s Natural Resources Management in a Changing Climate (NRMCC) project, designed to expand the use of sustainable land and water management practices in certain communities that are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as drought, land degradation, deforestation and flooding.
The NRMCC funding includes an IDA* contribution of US$12 million, an additional US$6.57 million from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), and US$1.85 million from the Less Developed Countries Fund (LDCF). The Mali Government will provide US$1 million.
“The NRMCC Project will achieve its objective through the implementation of capacity building, biodiversity conservation and support to poverty reduction activities through an ecosystem-based adaptation approach,” said Maman Sani Issa, Senior Environmental Specialist and World Bank Task Team Leader for the project. “This ecosystem-based approach integrates conservation, restoration and the sustainable management of territories to enable people to adapt to climate change and ultimately to increase their resilience.”
*The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing loans (called “credits”) and grants for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 81 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change for 2.5 billion people living on less than $2 a day. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 108 countries. Annual commitments have increased steadily and averaged about $15 billion over the last three years, with about 50 percent of commitments going to Africa.
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