Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

ANKARA: World Bank Supports Internally Displaced Persons in Azerbaij

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • ANKARA: World Bank Supports Internally Displaced Persons in Azerbaij

    Journal of Turkish Weekly
    Feb 16 2005

    World Bank Supports Internally Displaced Persons in Azerbaijan

    WASHINGTON- The World Bank today approved a US$11.5 million
    Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Economic Development Support
    Project.

    This project aims to improve living conditions, enhance economic
    opportunities and prospects for social integration for IDPs.

    Azerbaijan's armed conflict with Armenia over the Upper Garabagh
    region, which lasted from 1992 to 1994, left over 30,000 dead and
    over 1 million people displaced. About 575, 000, or 15 percent of the
    country's population, became "internally displaced persons." Many
    IDPs live in conditions where infrastructure, housing and service
    needs are substantial. Large numbers dwell in excessively poor
    housing conditions in school dormitories and former hotels, or occupy
    public buildings. Others live in informal settlements that often lack
    the most basic services, such as water, electricity, schools and
    health facilities. Economic opportunities are limited and
    unemployment is high.

    "The project will extend the Government's efforts to improve the
    living conditions of IDPs who, as communities, will identify what
    investments are most needed," said Ellen Hamilton, head of the World
    Bank team designing the project.

    The IDP Economic Development Support Project will consist of two main
    components: micro-projects and micro-credits. The first component
    will finance the preparation and implementation of up to
    approximately 200 small-scale projects (average cost about US$50,000)
    to rehabilitate, repair or reconstruct basic small infrastructure,
    social infrastructure and temporary shelter facilities. Under the
    second component, which is completely funded from the counterpart
    funding resources, financing to Partner Lending Institutions will be
    provided for the extension of micro-credits to IDPs.

    By the time the project is completed, IDP communities will have
    benefited from new improved basic small infrastructure (water supply
    and sewage networks, electricity distribution networks, access roads
    and drainage systems), social infrastructure (schools and community
    centers), and temporary shelter facilities. IDPs will also have
    benefited from access to micro-credit for income-generating
    activities.

    The IDP EDS Project has a maturity of 35 years, including a ten-year
    grace period.

    Azerbaijan joined the World Bank in 1992. Since then, commitments to
    the country total approximately US$622 million for 25 operations.

    Press Release via Baku Today
Working...
X