The World Bank‘s Board of Executive Directors approved $1 billion from the International Development Association (IDA) to build human capital in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This financing includes $800 million for the Emergency Equity and System Strengthening in Education Project (EESSE) and $200 million in additional financing for the Health System Strengthening for Better Maternal and Child Health Results Project (PDSS).
“By supporting free primary education and improving maternal and child health in the country’s poorest provinces, the two projects will help protect the most vulnerable population access basic services,” notes Jean-Christophe Carret, World Bank Country Director for the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Burundi. “This funding is all the more important because it will help alleviate the economic and social consequences of the coronavirus affecting the poorest.”
The financing will support two projects:
- The Emergency Equity and System Strengthening in Education Project (EESSE) will improve access to primary education in 10 provinces and strengthen core education systems. The targeted provinces are Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, Ituri, Lomami, Kasai, Kasai Central, Kasai Oriental, Kwilu, Kongo Central and Kinshasa.
- Additional financing for the Health System Strengthening for Better Maternal and Child Health Results Project (PDSS) will improve the use and quality of maternal and child health care services and provide an immediate, effective response to any eligible crisis or emergency. The project provinces are Mai-Ndombe, Kwilu, Kwango, Sud Ubangi, Mongala, Equateur, Tshuapa, Haut Katanga, Lualaba, Haut Lomami, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, and Kinshasa.
Original source: World Bank
Published on 15 June 2020