Khabar Khair (Only Good News)

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved two grants for a total of US$170 million to restore critical urban services in Yemen, boost climate resilience and address food insecurity in rural areas through improved road access.

The World Bank said that the grants are from the International Development Association (IDA) to support– a second phase of the Yemen Integrated Urban Services Emergency Project with $120 million, and a new rural road access project, with $50 million.

The World Bank confirmed in a statement, on Wednesday, December 21, the new funding will scale up activities supported by the original project, with a greater focus on building cities’ resilience to climate change. It will also continue to support the restoration of critical urban services impacted by the conflict and by recent flooding.

The statement stated that the funding will continue to support efforts to restore essential urban services affected by the conflict and the recent floods that hit the country.

The newly approved funds bring the total IDA grants for Yemen to US$2.89 billion since 2016.

In addition to funding, the World Bank provides technical expertise to design projects and helps put them in place by developing partnerships with UN agencies and local partners working on the ground.