The World Bank initially earmarked $80 million for health sector support and $100 million for urban development inDRC. Devex Early Intelligence learned from bank officials that these have been scrapped from the lending envelope.
According to Dr. Jean-Jacques Frere, World Bank health officer in DRC, plans to use a sectorwide approach for the health program did not make it to the concept note stage due to local capacity issues. Instead, the bank is looking into a malaria control program and health systems strengthening.
The urban development program has also been dropped and, at the moment, there are no similar projects in the pipeline. Instead, the bank will be investing in a mineral sector project,support to street children and vulnerable groups and a public financial management scheme. These are all slated for board approval this month.
