World Bank teases new direction of East Africa, Sahel drought response

The World Bank is looking at long-term health, nutrition and weather forecasting investments as part of a new approach to promote drought resilience in East Africa and the Sahel region.

This new strategy to alleviate the effects of recent droughts on the development of the two regions builds on ongoing World Bank efforts that primarily targets immediate needs. For instance, the bank is implementing a $1.8 billion drought response strategy in the Horn of Africa, of which $147 million has been disbursed and $994 million has been committed so far.

The International Development Association’s Crisis Response has also provided $30 million for the Horn of Africa Emergency Health and Nutrition Project. Meanwhile, in the Sahel, the World Bank has started reviewing an agriculture production support initiative in Chad in a bid to identify ways to accelerate funding for small-scale infrastructure projects.

Major partners of the World Bank in its East African and Sahel drought response include the United Nations, the European Union, Economic Community of West African States, Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel.

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