World Bank approves $300 million grant in support of conflict affected communities in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, April 13, 2022—The World Bank has approved a 300 million USD International Development Association (IDA) in support of conflict affected communities in Ethiopia.

The grant has been delivered in line with “The Response-Recovery-Resilience for Conflict-Affected Communities in Ethiopia Project.”

The project will support efforts to address the immediate needs of communities, rehabilitate infrastructure destroyed by conflict, and increase community resilience to the impacts of conflict in a sustainable manner.

Specifically, the project will help to improve access to basic services, as well as rebuild climate-resilient infrastructure, prioritized by communities.

“To urgently meet the needs of conflict-affected communities, mobile units will be dispatched to provide key services including in the areas of education, health, water, and sanitation.”, the World Bank said.

The project will also provide GBV survivors with improved access to the services and comprehensive care needed to recover from the impacts of the violence they experienced.

Furthermore, it will support prevention interventions to address the underlying norms and dynamics that perpetuate GBV. “Survivors of gender-based violence suffer devastating effects to their physical and mental health.

Project will also help to improve access to health, psychosocial support, and legal services for GBV survivors in conflict-affected regions where quality response services are limited,” said Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan.

“The project has a national geographic scope, initially prioritizing support to the Afar, Amhara, Benishangul[1]Gumuz, Oromia, and Tigray regions, which have been highly impacted by the recent conflict and host large numbers of internally displaced peoples (IDPs).”

To ensure rapid and efficient support that is adapted to local contexts, the project will be implemented by federal, regional, and community-based organizations.

“It will also be implemented by independent third-party entities, particularly in high-risk areas with ongoing conflict. While the project’s main focus is providing quick support to meet the urgent need of conflict-affected communities, it will also support Ethiopia to advance towards a sustainable recovery pathway by investing in institutions, communities, and policies. This will help build an inclusive and resilient future for conflict[1]affected communities in Ethiopia.” Ousmane Dione added.