Brazil

The objective of the Additional Financing for the Sao Paolo Trains and Signalling Project for Brazil is to: a) improve the level-of-service provided to the urban rail... Show More + transport users in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region in a safe and cost-efficient manner by increasing the peak-hour and off-peak carrying capacity of lines A and F of the Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (CPTM) and Lines 1, 2 and 3 of the Sao Paulo Metro Company (Metro); and b) continue the strengthening of the transport management and policy framework in the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Region (SPMR). As the signaling and track upgrade components of the Project are significantly delayed, the target indicator values for level-of-service (number of trains and average trip duration) originally expected in 2012 and 2013 will only be achieved in 2014 and 2015 considering the most recent schedule presented by the Borrower. The tables in the annex of this paper reflect the new target dates for the indicators which otherwise remain unchanged. Throughout project implementation, the implementing agencies (METRO and CPTM) and the Borrower represented by the Metropolitan Transport Secretariat have given appropriate attention to fiduciary (financial management and procurement) and safeguards (social and environmental) requirements as per Bank policies and guidelines. There are no outstanding audits. In addition, neither the loan in particular, nor the country in general is subject to an ongoing suspension of loan disbursements. Show Less -

The development objective of the Bahia Poor Urban Areas Integrated Development Project for Brazil is to reduce urban poverty in a sustainable manner, targeting the poorest... Show More + and most vulnerable sections of Salvador and strategic cities of the state of Bahia with access to basic services and improved housing and social support services. The closing date of the project will be extended from November 30, 2012 until October 31, 2013. This will be the third extension of the closing date for a cumulative period of 33 months. The extension is, therefore, necessary to ensure that the remaining works and resettlement activities are concluded with effective implementation support provided by the Bank. The extension would make up for the delays in implementing the resettlement activities, and allow the time needed to agree with each affected household on a customized solution and to implement it. Show Less -

Ratings for the Recife Urban Upgrading Project for Brazil were as follows: outcomes were moderately satisfactory; risk to development outcome was moderate; Bank performance... Show More + was moderately unsatisfactory; and borrower performance was moderately satisfactory. Some lessons learned includes: integrated urban upgrading, Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) and housing approach. The integrated urban upgrading approach used during the project improved efficiency, reduced project risks, promoted synergies between the various upgrading activities and increased the magnitude of the results. It allowed the implementing agencies to build their capacity to work in a coordinated manner. In addition, the project found the division of the targeted areas into Sanitation Collection Unit (UEs) to be immensely useful. Reducing design complexities: the involvement of the municipalities as both implementing agencies and co-financiers proved to be important for the outcomes of the project and for future sustainability. However, this management model also led to difficulties in implementation and coordination. Issues such as municipal autonomy, distinct technical and managerial capacities and financial constraints contributed to project delays and required high level intervention from the Governor and Mayors. Enforcing clear cut-off dates for resettlement. The Bank's resettlement policy recommends setting a cutoff date at the same time that the census is completed. After this date, no entitlements should be offered to people who settle in the area or make improvements to their homes or businesses. Under the project, resettlement was carried out in stages, and the project did not enforce the cutoff dates for resettlement eligibility. Rebalancing pre and post construction activities: the project focused on improving the living conditions of the residents of the basin through infrastructure and housing upgrades. The project did not place equal emphasis on how to sustain its results and promote the autonomy of the families. Slum upgrading projects usually have more intensive social and community development at the planning and implementation stages than at the post-implementation stage. Show Less -

The objective of the Alto Solimoes Basic Services and Sustainable Development Project for Brazil is to: (i) raise incomes, (ii) increase access to potable water and... Show More + basic sanitation; and (iii) improve health outcomes. The extension is necessary to complete ongoing civil works in the Water Supply and Health components in the municipalities of Tabatinga, Benjamin-Constant, and Atalia do Norte, as well as ongoing community-based productive sub-projects in the nine municipalities of the Alto-Solimoes region. As of June 21, 2012, the project has disbursed US$19.27 million of International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) resources, i.e. 79 percent of the loan. All remaining resources are committed, mostly for ongoing civil works in the water supply component. Consequently, the Borrower's action plan to complete the project is to complete the civil works and the community-based sub-projects that are already underway. The Procurement and FM ratings for the Project are satisfactory. The Borrower also intends to request an additional financing to continue project activities and consolidate its achievements. The additional financing is currently being discussed in light of the Bank's current lending envelope for Brazil. This will be the first extension of the project. Show Less -