WASHINGTON, March 30, 2022—The World Bank Board of Directors approved a $300 million loan to support the Government of Angola to improve water supply and strengthen water resource management for greater climate resilience in selected areas in Angola.
Climate change threatens water security and livelihoods in Angola. The country’s high degree of exposure to extreme climate events further threatens its economic stability and the safety and well-being of its population. The most recent drought that struck the country between November 2020 and January 2021 was recorded as the worst drought in the last 40 years.
The Climate Resilience and Water Security in Angola Project or RECLIMA will finance physical investments in urban and rural areas as well as institutional development activities to increase water security and help manage climate extremes, from the national and basin levels to the municipal level. The project will be implemented in the provinces of Zaire, Benguela, Huila, Kwanza sul, Cuando Cubango, Cunene, Namibe and Luanda benefiting nearly 1.2 million people.
“Climate changes is a reality that can no longer be ignored, and Angola is one of the countries in the region that is suffering the most from its consequences. The World Bank is pleased to support Angola by putting in place sustainable adaption measures that mitigate the impact of climate change on people and their livelihoods,” said Jean-Christophe Carret, World Bank Country Director for Angola.
The RECLIMA project has three components. The first component includes rehabilitating and expanding water supply services in urban and peri-urban areas, as well as maintenance and repairs of rural water supply systems. The second component will support selected provinces and their municipalities with water resources development investments that include community-level infrastructure investments to increase reliable access to water resources through the rehabilitation and construction of sand dams, cisterns, small reservoirs, piped water supply, boreholes, protected wells, and soil and water conservation measures in selected watersheds. Third component consists of supporting project management and inter-institutional coordination.
RECLIMA will be co-financed by the French Development Agency (AFD) through a euro-denominated loan equivalent to $150 million.
