Mali Interim Strategy Note combines support to post-conflict recovery and long-term development objectives
WASHINGTON, June 18, 2013 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today discussed a two-year (FY14-15) World Bank Group Interim Strategy Note (ISN) for Mali proposing a selective program in support of post-conflict recovery and long-term development objectives, underpinned by a Fragility Assessment. The Board also approved a $50 million Recovery and Reform Support Credit.
This ISN program aims to both rapidly provide support to meet the needs of populations across the country and initiate new activities to better address long-term governance challenges. The WBG recognizes the centrality of the human development challenges that Mali faces in the aftermath of the 2011-12 periods of conflict and insecurity and proposes a strong program focused on strengthening capacities and delivering basic services.
“Our new Strategy, which is fully aligned with the Sustainable Recovery Plan or Plan de Relance Durable du Mali (PRED), presents a combination of lending and non-lending activities to tackle the emergency needs of fragile groups, to build resilience and to create conditions for lasting economic rebound. Our role as a development organization is to make sure that the focus on the medium and long term is not lost, and to balance short term concerns and long term needs”, said Ousmane Diagana, the World Bank Country Director for Mali.
The ISN program focuses on short-term actions in support of the priorities for the transition as articulated in the Plan for the Emergency Priorities (Plan d’appui aux priorités d’urgence, PAPU) and the Sustainable Recovery Plan or Plan de Relance Durable du Mali (PRED).
The program is articulated around three priority areas: laying the foundations for long-term accountability and stability; protecting human capital and building resilience; and preparing the conditions for economic recovery. In recognition of the national and regional dynamics that led to the instability, each of these priority areas will include a combination of programs with a national reach and targeted regional lending and non-lending programs to improve the knowledge base on the drivers and impact of the crisis.
The Bank is mobilizing US$ 500 million additional to the ongoing US$ 400 million portfolio to be disbursed and the US$ 180 million in recently approved new projects.
The World Bank is one of Mali's leading partners with a total commitment of $732.75 million in development financing. This comprises a current portfolio of 13 national and seven regional projects in the areas of rural development, basic services, energy, transport, institutional reform and decentralization
