World Bank deploys $33.6m in emergency COVID-19 funding to Iraq
The World Bank has approved the re-allocation of $33.6 million under the current Emergency Operation for Development Project to support Iraq's efforts in preventing, detecting, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This fast track emergency response comes in two phases. The World Bank initially mobilized $7.8 million from resources that were immediately available under the project to help finance the supply of essential medical equipment and supplies and strengthen intensive care unit capacity at public hospitals. Ventilators, ICU beds, ECG machines, mobile X-ray machines and defibrillators will be delivered to designated sites in four to eight weeks.
In a follow-up step, the World Bank also approved the Government of Iraq’s request to re-allocate an additional $25.8 million under the project to supply additional quantities of equipment and consumables and support the training of health workers and front-line responders on their use.
The reallocation of funds does not affect the initial scope of the Emergency Operation for Development Project which aims to support Iraq in the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and the restoration of public services delivery in targeted municipal areas.
