The African Development Bank, with the World Bank and the government of Zimbabwe, launched post-cyclone Idai recovery projects totaling $96.7 million to restore livelihoods and rehabilitate infrastructure in areas most hit by the disaster this year.
The World Bank has provided $72 million to finance its Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project (ZIRP), focusing on the nine worst affected districts in Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Masvingo Provinces, while the African Development Bank has earmarked $24.7 million for the Idai Emergency Recovery and Resilience Project (IERRP) to restore public infrastructure, irrigation and energy supply, and telecommunications networks in Chipinge and Chimanimani Districts. It will also help strengthen the government’s capacity to predict and respond to emergencies.
The Zimbabwean government is supporting the IERRP with $3.2 million to make a total of $27.5 million.
Both projects will be managed by UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
“Through these unique partnerships we hope to contribute to how national and regional authorities, and development and humanitarian partners can and must work together in providing critical development assistance,” the World Bank’s Regional Director for Social, Urban and Rural Resilience, Ede Ijjasz-Vasquez said in remarks at the launch.
An impact assessment of areas affected by cyclone Idai estimated that $671 million is required to help fully restore livelihood and basic facilities.
Zimbabwe’s deputy minister for Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Jennifer Mhlanga, expressed gratitude to the institutions, adding that the government will ensure a successful implementation of the projects.
Original source: AfDB
Published on 05 September 2019
