Latest news with #WorldBankBoardofExecutiveDirectors
Business Recorder
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Water, education: World Bank Board approves $194m for two Balochistan projects
ISLAMABAD: The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved $194 million for two projects to enhance educational opportunities for children and boost water security in Balochistan. 'The GRADES-Balochistan project aims to reduce learning poverty in the province, while the Balochistan Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project will help address the province's water security challenges and enhance climate resilience,' said Najy Binhassine, World Bank country director for Pakistan. 'The World Bank remains committed to supporting Balochistan through strategic investments in infrastructure and human development to build the foundations for more job creation, poverty reduc-tion, and stronger resilience.' The Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan (GRADES-Balochistan) project ($100 million) will benefit 250,000 students with a focus on increasing enrollment and improving literacy and numeracy skills in early childhood and primary education. Key interventions include enhancing school readiness through quality early childhood education, increasing school capacity through double shifts and public-private partnerships, providing safe transportation, constructing climate-resilient classrooms, and implementing a comprehensive teacher professional development model. The project will provide support for 5,000 teachers through continuous professional development programs. Additionally, scholarships will be provided to 400 female students to pursue teacher pre-service education, fostering a new generation of educators who will serve as mentors and role models. 'The GRADES-Balochistan project is a strategically important initiative that addresses critical gaps in access to and quality of pre-primary and primary education in the province,' said Inga Afanasieva, team leader for the project. 'The project not only aims to enhance educational infrastructure but also to increase resilience to disasters and environmental sustainability. These efforts underscore the World Bank's commitment to creating a safer and more sustainable future for the children of Balochistan.' The Balochistan Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project (BWSPIP) ($94 million) aims to improve the lives of smallholder and tenant farmers in the Nari, Talli, and Lehri river basins of the Kachi Plain and improve water supply services in Quetta. The project is expected to benefit 500,000 people with improved access to basic water supply services and benefit more than 80,000 people by providing climate resilient infrastructure. Key elements include enhancing flood protection, increasing access to water for productive use, and improving water supply service delivery. The project will help safeguard communities against climate risks and enhance economic opportunities by increasing the availability of irrigation water, which is crucial for agricultural productivity and economic stability. 'The project supports the implementation of the Pakistan's Resilient Recovery Framework and aims to provide significant benefits for the farming communities in the province as well as for the residents of Quetta. It will also empower women in community-level water management,' said Carolina Dominguez Torres, task team leader for the project. 'Through strategic investments, improved water management, and community engagement, the project aims to deliver lasting benefits for the sustainable development of Balochistan.' The GRADES project is designed to reduce learning poverty, while the BWSPIP project is designed to reduce child stunting through increased access to safe water and sanitation services. Both of these are key outcome targets under the 10-year Country Partnership Framework for Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
World Bank announces Lebanon, Syria reconstruction projects
BEIRUT: The World Bank announced on Wednesday it had approved $250 million to support Lebanon's post-war reconstruction and a $146 million grant to rehabilitate neighbouring Syria's electricity sector. Lebanon is reeling from last year's devastating war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, while Syria faces massive needs after Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, capping a 14-year civil war. 'The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved yesterday a US$250 million financing to Lebanon to support the most urgent repair and reconstruction of damaged critical public infrastructure and lifeline services, and the sustainable management of rubble in conflict-affected areas,' it said in a statement. The bank had previously estimated the costs of post-war reconstruction and recovery in Lebanon at around $11 billion. Jean-Christophe Carret, the World Bank Middle East Department's division director, said that 'given Lebanon's large reconstruction needs, the (project) is structured as a $1 billion scalable framework with an initial $250 million contribution from the World Bank'. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the decision, calling the project 'a key step in reconstruction by responding to damage to critical infrastructure and essential services in war-affected areas'. 'This support strengthens recovery efforts within the state-led implementation framework and leverages much-needed additional financing,' he said. More than a year of hostilities between Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel, including a full-blown war that began in September, ended with a ceasefire agreement in late November. The conflict caused massive destruction across Lebanon, particularly in Hezbollah strongholds in the country's south and east and in Beirut's southern suburbs, and further exacerbated economic woes caused by an economic crisis that started in 2019. Reconstruction remains one of the greatest challenges facing Lebanon's government, with Beirut seeking foreign aid to finance the post-war recovery. In a separate statement, the World Bank said it had approved a $146 million grant to Syria from the International Development Association 'to help restore reliable, affordable electricity and support the country's economic recovery'. The grant will finance the rehabilitation of high-voltage transmission lines and transformer substations damaged during the civil war, and the acquisition of spare parts and maintenance equipment, according to the statement.
Al Etihad
25-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
World Bank announces Lebanon, Syria reconstruction projects
25 June 2025 17:33 BEIRUT, LEBANON (AFP)The World Bank announced on Wednesday it had approved $250 million to support Lebanon's post-war reconstruction and a $146 million grant to rehabilitate neighbouring Syria's electricity sector."The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved yesterday a US$250 million financing to Lebanon to support the most urgent repair and reconstruction of damaged critical public infrastructure and lifeline services, and the sustainable management of rubble in conflict-affected areas," it said in a bank had previously estimated the costs of post-war reconstruction and recovery in Lebanon at around $11 Carret, the World Bank Middle East Department's division director, said that "given Lebanon's large reconstruction needs, the (project) is structured as a $1 billion scalable framework with an initial $250 million contribution from the World Bank".Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the decision, calling the project "a key step in reconstruction by responding to damage to critical infrastructure and essential services in war-affected areas"."This support strengthens recovery efforts within the state-led implementation framework and leverages much-needed additional financing," he said. Syria In a separate statement, the World Bank said it had approved a $146 million grant to Syria from the International Development Association "to help restore reliable, affordable electricity and support the country's economic recovery".The grant will finance the rehabilitation of high-voltage transmission lines and transformer substations damaged during the civil war, and the acquisition of spare parts and maintenance equipment, according to the statement."Among Syria's urgent reconstruction needs, rehabilitating the electricity sector has emerged as a critical, no-regret investment that can improve the living conditions of the Syrian people," Carret would also "support the return of refugees and the internally displaced, enable resumption of other services such as water services and healthcare for the population, and help kickstart economic recovery", he added."This project represents the first step in a planned increase in World Bank support to Syria on its path to recovery and development." The UN estimates Syria's reconstruction to cost over $400 billion.
MTV Lebanon
25-06-2025
- Business
- MTV Lebanon
25 Jun 2025 12:02 PM World Bank backs recovery and reconstruction effort
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved yesterday a US$250 million financing to Lebanon to support the most urgent repair and reconstruction of damaged critical public infrastructure and lifeline services, and the sustainable management of rubble in conflict-affected areas. The Lebanon Emergency Assistance Project (LEAP) will prioritize and sequence interventions to maximize economic and social impact within the shortest timeframe and provide a phased approach to response, recovery and reconstruction. The Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) of the impact of the conflict in Lebanon between October 8, 2023, and December 20, 2024, estimated total direct damages across 10 sectors at US$7.2 billion, and reconstruction and recovery needs at US$11 billion. Damage to critical infrastructure and buildings that are critical to economic activity and to the health and safety of communities was estimated at US$1.1 billion across the transport, water, energy, municipal services, education and health care sectors. Considering the scale of needs, the LEAP was designed to support restoration of public infrastructure and buildings, given this is a precondition to economic and social recovery. "Given Lebanon's large reconstruction needs, the LEAP is structured as a US$1 billion scalable framework with an initial US$250 million contribution from the World Bank and the ability to efficiently absorb additional financing—whether grants or loans—under a unified, government-led implementation structure that emphasizes transparency, accountability, and results," said Jean-Christophe Carret, World Bank Middle East Division Director. "This framework offers a credible vehicle for development partners to align their support, alongside continued progress on the Government's reform agenda, and maximize collective impact in support of Lebanon's recovery and long-term reconstruction." The WB financing will support immediate response activities required to accelerate recovery and create the conditions that favor a return to normality, including the safe and well-planned management of rubble that maximizes the reuse and recycling of rubble. Critical support will also be provided to the rapid repair and recovery of essential services, such as water, energy, transport, health, education and municipal services. Finally, the LEAP framework will also support the reconstruction of severely damaged infrastructure, starting with designs and environment and social assessments financed through WB initial financing. Drawing on lessons learned from reconstruction projects around the world, LEAP uses a transparent, data-driven area-based prioritization methodology endorsed by the Council of Ministers, which provides an integrated package of public recovery and reconstruction investments to restore social services and promote economic recovery and growth in conflict-affected areas of Lebanon. Similarly, to ensure the Project's operational readiness and its efficient and prompt implementation, the government has undertaken critical reform measures in the project's implementing agency, the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR). These include the establishment of a complete and functional CDR Board of Directors and streamlining administrative and decision-making processing for the LEAP, in line with international best practices for emergency projects. These measures are part of a broader institutional reform agenda that positions and equips CDR to efficiently manage the scale and urgency of Lebanon's recovery and reconstruction effort, guided by transparency, efficiency and accountability principles. The LEAP will be implemented under the strategic guidance of the Prime Minister Office, with coordination across line ministries at the level of the Council of Ministers. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport will have overall leadership and responsibility for Project execution, and the Ministry of Environment will provide oversight for environmental and social requirements, including for rubble management. In addition, the World Bank will support LEAP with enhanced implementation and supervision support measures with the recruitment of an international lender's engineering firm to conduct enhanced compliance due diligence across the entire framework. This will include oversight of technical, environmental and social, fiduciary aspects and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) detection. This mechanism will help ensure LEAP is executed with the highest standards of compliance, integrity and effectiveness.
Business Recorder
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
World Bank approves $194mn to support education & access to water in Balochistan
ISLAMABAD: The World Bank Board of Executive Directors on Tuesday approved $194 million for two projects to enhance educational opportunities for children and boost water security in Balochistan. 'The GRADES-Balochistan project aims to reduce learning poverty in the province, while the Balochistan Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project will help address the province's water security challenges and enhance climate resilience,' said Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. 'The World Bank remains committed to supporting Balochistan through strategic investments in infrastructure and human development to build the foundations for more job creation, poverty reduction, and stronger resilience,' he added. The Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan (GRADES-Balochistan) project, i.e. $100 million, will benefit 250,000 students with a focus on increasing enrollment and improving literacy and numeracy skills in early childhood and primary education. Pakistan seeks fourth restructuring of $393.73mn WB-funded higher education project The project will also provide support for 5,000 teachers through continuous professional development programs. Additionally, scholarships will be provided to 400 female students to pursue teacher pre-service education, fostering a new generation of educators who will serve as mentors and role models. 'The GRADES-Balochistan project is a strategically important initiative that addresses critical gaps in access to and quality of pre-primary and primary education in the province,' said Inga Afanasieva, Team Leader for the project. 'The project not only aims to enhance educational infrastructure but also to increase resilience to disasters and environmental sustainability. These efforts underscore the World Bank's commitment to creating a safer and more sustainable future for the children of Balochistan.' Meanwhile, the World Bank also approved the Balochistan Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project (BWSPIP) i.e. $94 million, which aims to improve the lives of smallholder and tenant farmers in the Nari, Talli, and Lehri river basins of the Kachi Plain and improve water supply services in Quetta. The project is expected to benefit 500,000 people with improved access to basic water supply services and benefit more than 80,000 people by providing climate-resilient infrastructure. Key elements include enhancing flood protection, increasing access to water for productive use, and improving water supply service delivery. 'The project supports the implementation of Pakistan's Resilient Recovery Framework and aims to provide significant benefits for the farming communities in the province as well as for the residents of Quetta. It will also empower women in community-level water management,' said Carolina Dominguez Torres, Task Team Leader for the Project. 'Through strategic investments, improved water management, and community engagement, the project aims to deliver lasting benefits for the sustainable development of Balochistan.' The GRADES project, designed to reduce learning poverty, and the BWSPIP project, designed to reduce child stunting through increased access to safe water and sanitation services, are key outcome targets under the 10-year Country Partnership Framework for Pakistan, the World Bank said.
