The World Bank has approved a four-year credit of $50 million to help Benin be better prepared for future flooding. The funding will be used to improve and rehabilitate drainage networks, enhance wastewater and solid waste management, and strengthen flood disaster risk preparedness by developing an early warning system and awareness programs and supporting capacity-building efforts for institutions involved in flood and disaster risk management.
In an April 26 press release, the bank noted that the 2010 flooding affected more than 680,000 people, killed 46, destroyed more than 50,000 houses and ruined 128,000 hectares of crops and farmland in Benin. Total economic losses amounted to 2 percent of the country’s gross domestic product last year.
The bank last week announced a $22 million grant to help Benin overcome economic losses due to flooding in late 2010.
>> World Bank Grants Flood Recovery Aid to Benin
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