Islamabad: The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has sanctioned USD 300 million for the Sindh Resilience Project (SRP) and the Solid Waste Emergency and Efficiency Project (SWEEP), a news source reported on December 9.
According to the details revealed, the funding is aimed at facilitating the Sindh government’s efforts to protect the province against natural calamities such as floods and droughts in addition to strengthening solid waste management in the provincial capital of Karachi.
To this effect, the International Development Association (IDA) has pledged USD 200 million for the Sindh Resilience Project, while the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development has expressed its intent to provide USD 100 million for the Solid Waste Emergency and Efficiency Project (SWEEP).
World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Najy Benhassine stated that protection against natural disasters and health issues was a priority for the country; adding that the disastrous impact of floods, droughts and rainfall in Sindh, as well as the huge casualty toll due to the coronavirus pandemic, required urgent investments to facilitate dialogue and coordination at both the provincial and national levels.
The Sindh Resilience Project will assist the provincial executive in tackling floods, droughts, and public health emergencies in addition to introducing improvements to disaster risk management and the province’s health sector. Further, it is expected to improve Sindh’s irrigation infrastructure to protect vulnerable communities residing in drought-prone areas of Kirthar range hills and the Nagarparkar region in the Tharparkar District.
