WASHINGTON, June 23, 2021 – The World Bank has approved $20 million in additional financing from the International Development Association (IDA)* to support the Togolese government’s efforts to assist communities and households hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
This additional financing to the Safety Nets and Basic Services Project will bolster the emergency economic relief provided by the Togolese government to help its citizens better cope with the impacts of COVID-19. It will expand cash transfers to the most vulnerable and build the resilience of extremely poor households by providing them with consumption support as well as coaching to ensure greater economic inclusion. Technical assistance will also be provided to the government to strengthen the country’s social protection system.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had dire economic consequences for Togolese households, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable,” says Hawa Wague, World Bank Resident Representative for Togo. “By broadening social safety nets and extending cash transfers to those who need them most, while helping them rebuild their livelihoods, this additional financing builds on the government’s COVID-19 response under the Novissi program and will help the country implement a social protection system that will be able to respond to future shocks.”
The Safety Nets and Basic Services project, which had an initial target of 130,000 people, has already benefited 195,871 people, including 43,000 individuals in 155 communities who have greater access to water and 6,475 students who are now in rehabilitated or newly constructed schools. Access to safety nets (cash transfers and school feeding) has been provided to 92,345 beneficiaries, 63,436 of whom are women, exceeding the initial targets of 78,000 and 39,000, respectively. The school feeding subcomponent has benefited 52,173 children, surpassing its initial target of 38,000.
The Safety Nets and Basic Services project complements the activities of the Employment Opportunities for Vulnerable Youth Project, which is implementing labor intensive public works and economic inclusion activities, including entrepreneurship training and business start-up grants.
*The International Development Association (IDA) is the World Bank’s fund for the poorest. Established in 1960, it provides grants and low- to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 76 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. IDA resources help effect positive change in the lives of the 1.6 billion people living in the countries that are eligible for its assistance. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 113 countries. Annual commitments are constantly on the rise and have averaged $21 billion over the past three years, with about 61% going to Africa.
