On Saturday, World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) gave Somalia $137.5 million (KSh14.7 Bn) grant to help the country fight multiple crises. The funds are part of the Somalia Crisis Recovery Project to boost disaster preparedness and support the recovery of livelihoods.
Somalia is on the edge of a climate emergency after repeated cycles of floods and drought. Moreover, the current locust swarms and the rising Coronavirus cases only worsen the country’s food security situation.
“Increasingly frequent and devastating crises are impeding Somalia’s chances of breaking out of a cycle of fragility and poverty. Even as it recovers from drought, Somalia faces a triple shock of locust, flooding, and now COVID-19,” said World Bank Country Director for Somalia, Felipe Jaramillo. “Thanks to Government-led reform of institutions and public finance, Somalia now has access to IDA, including the Crisis Response Window, and therefore respond promptly.”
SEE ALSO: Somalia’s $1.4 Billion Debt Cancelled by Paris Club Creditors
Funds from this grant will benefit up to 1.7 million people in Somalia. The fund will provide livelihood support through the cash-for-work scheme for households, desert locust population control, and promoting household hygiene. Besides, the grant will also fund the rehabilitation of water and sanitation systems.
“The Project reinforces the leadership of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Federal Member States towards ushering in sustainable and resilient recovery from the multiple crises afflicting the country as a means of further strengthening state-citizen trust,” said Dr. Abdirahman Beileh, Somalia’s Minister of Finance.
