WB grants $ 127m to consolidate peace process and development

The World Bank on Tuesday has granted $ 127 million for three vaious projects to help Nepal consolidate peace process and development.

Finance Secretary Rameshwore Khanal and Susan Goldmark, the World Bank Country Director for Nepal signed agreements to this effect amidst a programme attended by Finance Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and Isabel Guerrero, the World Bank Vice President for South Asia.

“All three projects are anchored in the Nepali agenda -- peace needs development and development needs peace,” said Ms. Susan Goldmark, World Bank Country Director for Nepal. “As Nepal continues to make progress on the crucial path of peace-building and development, Nepal can be assured of continued World Bank assistance,” she said.  

According to the press release issued by the World Bank Nepal, the $ 50 million grant for the Emergency Peace Support Project intends to help Nepal fulfill commitments made under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the subsequent 23 Point Agreement. The project will also help the government pilot reintegration initiatives.

The $ 50 million grant will be used under Nepal Health Sector Program to expand access to and the use of essential health care services, especially by underserved populations. “All medical colleges and reputed non-state hospitals will be contracted to provide free surgical services for uterine prolapse which will benefit rural, poor women," stated the press release.

Similarly, the World Bank has provided $ 27 million grant for the Second Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project to scale up the project to provide services to more remote rural areas. “It aims to improve institutional performance of the rural water supply and sanitation sector, and will also support communities to form inclusive local water supply and sanitation user groups that can plan, implement, and operate drinking water and sanitation infrastructure that delivers sustainable health, hygiene, and productivity benefits to rural households," stated the World Bank press release.

In May 2008 too, the World Bank had provided the $ 50 million grant for the Emergency Peace Support Project to pay compensation of Rs 100,000 each to the families of the war deceased and to support Rs 3,000 per month to 19,602 verified Maoists combatants confined in UN monitored cantonments.