More than $62 million planned for jobs, roads and bridges
TANAUAN (LEYTE), JULY 14, 2014 – World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim today reaffirmed the institution’s support for the Philippines’ reconstruction efforts during his visit to communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in Leyte, announcing that the organization was preparing more funding soon.
Kim announced that the World Bank Group next month will submit the Philippine Rural Development Project to its Board of Executive Directors. The proposed project includes more than $62 million targeted to boost the incomes of farmers and fishermen and repair 230 kilometers of farm-to-market roads in Central Philippines that was badly hit by the super typhoon.
“I am here to reaffirm the World Bank Group’s support for the courageous Filipinos who are rebuilding from the ruins of Typhoon Haiyan," said Kim. “While much more can be done and needs to be done, I am encouraged to see the government, civil society, private sector, and local communities rebuilding access roads, irrigation facilities, shelters and schools for those affected by the disaster in Palo and Tanauan in Leyte.”
The $62 million is part of a US$508.25 million project designed to raise rural incomes and boost productivity for farmers and fishermen nationwide. The World Bank already had announced nearly US$1 billion in financial assistance in the immediate aftermath of the typhoon.
Kim is on a two-day visit to the Philippines to discuss with the Philippine Government how the WBG can help deliver better development results following the recent endorsement of a new partnership strategy for the Philippines by its Board of Executive Directors.
The new partnership strategy supports the country’s goal of promoting and sustaining growth, which reduces poverty and creates jobs. Under this new strategy, the World Bank Group is committed to providing US$3.2 billion in assistance over four years, and will continue to share global knowledge and good practices.
Expressing sympathies to people who lost their loved ones and incomes to the monstrous typhoon, Kim said he was pleased to see communities are making progress recovering from the disaster.
The Philippines is the third-most vulnerable country in the world to extreme weather-related events, earthquakes, sea-level rise, and storm surges. Experts says climate change and related natural disasters are the “new normal” for countries like the Philippines, threatening to put prosperity out of reach for millions of people and set back decades of development.
“The poor are disproportionately affected by disasters and are the least able to cope. If we don't build resilience to climate change and natural disasters, we won't end poverty,” said Kim. “The World Bank Group is working closely with the government and others to help communities improve their defense against those threats.”
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Additional Information:
Just last month, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and government partners, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the Australian government, launched the KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP, otherwise known as the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, in Ormoc City.
The World Bank is providing US$479 million in financing for this project and estimates that it will benefit more than 8 million people, including 5 million living in Yolanda-affected communities.
Using a community-driven approach, KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP empowers poor communities to organize themselves, analyze their situation, prepare project proposals to address their common problems, and compete for block grants to finance their projects. These projects include local infrastructure, such as water systems, school buildings, day care centers, health stations, roads, and bridges. Community members are also responsible for the implementation and maintenance of these projects.
