WASHINGTON: The World Bank’s Executive Directors approved two projects for $400 million in concessional financing from the International Development Association to support Pakistan’s interventions to reduce food insecurity from the outbreak of locusts and measures to restore education for schools closed due to COVID-19. This financing includes $200 million for the Locust Emergency and Food Security Project and $200 million for the Actions to Strengthen Performance for Inclusive and Responsive Education Program.

This would be the World Bank’s first agriculture project at federal level in Pakistan since 2010, when the 18th amendment had devolved agriculture and rural affairs to provinces.

Of the total project cost, $125 million would be financed from the International Development Association (IDA).

The compounded impact of the locust outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic calls for urgent, coordinated and targeted actions to secure Pakistan’s agricultural economy and improve educational systems to protect human capital,” said Illango Patchamuthu, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. ”Together, these projects will contribute to short- and long-term goals to increase Pakistan’s food security and achieve greater equity for students across the country.”