WASHINGTON, April 30, 2020 – The World Bank today approved $21.15 million in financing, of which 50% grant and 50% credit from the International Development Association (IDA)* to help Burkina Faso respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Burkina Faso COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project will strengthen the public health systems’ capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to the pandemic. It will increase emergency funding up to $4 million for the Health Services Reinforcement Project (PRSS), which supports efforts to protect health care workers and trace people who have come into contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases. Total financing for the PRSS amounts to $100 million ($80 million grant and $20 million from Trust Funds).
According to Christophe Rockmore, Acting World Bank Country Manager for Burkina Faso, “Burkina Faso’s response to the pandemic draws on experience acquired in health operations in recent years. The World Bank will work closely with the government and all partners and relevant stakeholders to implement the project effectively.”
This project will train approximately 2,000 front-line health workers and provide patient care equipment and will support COVID-19 affected populations through the distribution of food and basic supplies.
COVID-19: World Bank Group Response
The World Bank Group, one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, is taking broad, fast action to help developing countries strengthen their pandemic response. We are increasing disease surveillance, improving public health interventions, and helping the private sector continue to operate and sustain jobs. Over the next 15 months, the World Bank Group will be deploying up to $160 billion in financial support to help countries protect the poor and vulnerable, support businesses, and bolster economic recovery, including $50 billion of new IDA resources in grants or on highly concessional terms.
*The International Development Association (IDA) is the World Bank’s fund for the poorest. Established in 1960, it provides grants and low to zero-interest loans 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 76 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change to 1.6 billion people. Since its inception, IDA has supported development work in 113 countries. Annual commitments are constantly on the rise and have averaged $21 billion over the past three years, with about 61% going to Africa.
