World Bank approves $745mln grant to benefit vulnerable Ethiopians

Addis Ababa, December 14, 2022 (FBC) – The World Bank announced that it has approved a $745 million grant to benefit vulnerable Ethiopians.

The World Bank’s Board of Directors has approved the grant to support improved access to health services and flood management project in Ethiopia.

It is stated that the grant will be used to improve the service delivery system in the health sector and to develop an integrated flood management system.

In addition, it has been stated that the grant will help build capacity to deal with challenges related to climate change and to control emergencies and floods.

The Ethiopia Program for Results for Strengthening Primary Health Care Services Project financed through a $400 million grant from the International Development Association (*IDA) and $45 million grant from the Global Financing Facility (GFF) aims to improve essential and equitable health care services such as key reproductive, maternal and child health as well as nutrition services nationwide for the people of Ethiopia, including in conflict affected areas, and especially for women and children, who are the most vulnerable.

According to the World Bank, the implementation of the project in conflict-affected areas will be conducted through a third-party implementing agency with proven access into these hot spots.

“The health project will provide over 22 million women and children, including those in conflict affected areas and Internally Displaced Persons, lifesaving health services such as immunization, family planning, skilled birth, antenatal and postnatal care. It will also restore facilities that were damaged by conflict, enabling millions of Ethiopians to get access once again to the services they direly need,” said Ousmane Dione, World Bank Group Country Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan.

The Flood Management Project (FMP) financed by a $300 million grant from the International Development Association (*IDA) is geared towards urgently enhancing Ethiopia’s resilience to climate-related shocks, as well as improve its ability to better respond to and manage disasters and flood risks.

“Floods have a disproportionate impact on the poorest and most vulnerable Ethiopians. When floods ensue, people often lose their assets and livelihoods, causing them to fall deeper into poverty. This investment in flood management is part of our effort to protect vulnerable communities and boost their long-term resilience to climate related risks,” said Peter D. Ellis, Practice Manager for the World Bank’s Urban, Resilience and Land Global Practice.