Financial News | Sundayobserver.lk

The needs in the North are just enormous and World Bank assistance will help provide the needs said World Bank (WB) Country Director Naoko Ishii addressing a media briefing recently.

The WB has approved a total package of US$ 77 million out of which US$ 65 million is for Emergency Northern Recovery Project (ENREP) while the balance of US$ 12 million is allocated for the ongoing community based Reawakening Project.

She said that supporting the development of the North and the East is a top priority and as of last week there were 13 World Bank funded projects out of which 30 per cent would go for the North and the East.

Ishii said while the assistance being given to the country is discussed they will have the opportunity to discuss about the North and the East as well as the other regions. Senior Rural Development Specialist, World Bank Nihal Fernando based in Bangladesh joining through video conferencing said that WB was able to design and implement the project within four months, after the Sri Lankan Government sought the assistance from the WB to help the displaced people in the North East.

He said that the project has three components under which assistance will be provided for emergency assistance for IDPs, cash for work and repairing of essential economic and irrigation facilities while additional funding is provided for special families. The project is scheduled to be completed in two years on a fast track basis.

The ENREP funds will help about 100,000 IDPs with emergency assistance such as seeds for cultivation as well as equipment to clear the land to cultivate. A total of 13,000 hectares have to be cleared with the assistance of the District Land Resources offices.

The cash for work program will bridge the gap once the IDPs return to camps and start their normal livelihoods. While it’s being given for 50 days out of which the first 10 days is to clean and repair the individual member’s home and garden.

This money will be given for their daily needs until construction sites and agricultural activities commence. Until then they could get involved in repairing of community facilities for the remaining 40 days.

Emergency Northern Recovery Project (ENREP)

Project Development Objective “To support the Government’s effort to rapidly return internally displaced people (IDPs) to their place of origin in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka and restore their social and economic life.” Target population approximately 32,000 returnee households under phase III and IV of the Government’s five-phased Return Plan (covering a total of approximately 110,000 households). Availability of project funds linked to actual progress in return process through “triggers.”

Project components:

Consultation with communities: Community-based consultation upon arrival of returnees through expansion of on-going northern CDD Project (US$12 million Additional Financing for the Reawakening Project).

Collaboration with other partners: Project designed as a frame work for the government to mobilize further assistance from interested partners including NGOs. Close collaboration with other UN agencies, including UNHCR regard the return process, UNDP (mine clearance certification), and UNICEF (mine awareness).

Other World Bank funding available for the Northern Province:

Education Sector Development Project, Health Sector Development Project, Community Livelihoods in Conflict Affected Areas Project , North East Housing Reconstruction Project. and Provincial Roads Project.

WB assistance to re-awaken NE