WASHINGTON, January 22, 2015 – The World Bank Group’s (WBG) Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$70million International Development Association (IDA) credit to support the Government of Rwanda (GoR) improve the efficiency, coverage and harmonization of its social protection system.
This World Bank Development Policy Operation (DPO) is designed to support the government’s National Social Protection Strategy and continue Rwanda’s effort to address chronic poverty and reduce the impacts of external shocks on poor people through a larger and more efficient social protection system.
“Building on the previous DPO series, this proposed programmatic work will help the Government of Rwanda stay on course for reaching its poverty reduction goals, while addressing a new set of reforms critical to strengthening Rwanda’s social protection system,” said Carolyn Turk, World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda.
With support from other international donors and the WBG, Rwanda will improve the social protection system by focusing on administrative and program areas to ensure cohesion and efficiency. In line with the government’s focus on accountable governance, the DPO will help promote accountability and transparency. Finally, through support to the expanded coverage phase of the country’s Vision Umurenge Program, it will promote a focus on the most poor and vulnerable population.
“This program will help the government implement the objectives of its National Social Protection Strategy. It will position Rwanda to better support the resilience of the poor and vulnerable and to generate opportunities for more Rwandans to move out of poverty” said Laura Rawlings, Lead Specialist and Team Leader for the World Bank’s Social Protection System program for Rwanda.
This program will result in an improved and efficient social protection system through strengthened management, harmonization of programs and better coverage for the poor and vulnerable populations.
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The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing loans (called “credits”) and grants for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 81 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change for 2.5 billion people living on less than $2 a day. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 108 countries. Annual commitments have increased steadily and averaged about $15 billion over the last three years, with about 50 percent of commitments going to Africa.
