World Bank to provide $1.3b for agriculture, housing, emergency

The World Bank is planning to give Pakistan $1.3b to help with emergencies, agriculture, and housing.

While talking about the World Bank’s Board meeting in December, John A Roome said that the World Bank plans to provide Pakistan with the financial support of $1.3 billion for emergency, agriculture, and housing relief.

The World Bank’s Regional Director for Sustainable Development, John A Roome, in a meeting with the Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir, said that the World Bank will provide financial support to subsidize urea for the floods and rains-affected farmers.

Federal Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema said that recent floods and rains have resulted in colossal losses for the farming community. “We are trying our utmost to provide relief and assistance to the poor farmers, and help them in rehabilitation,” he added.

While appreciating the support extended by the World Bank for flood relief and rehabilitation of the affected farmers, Federal Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema said that the natural calamity was unforeseen and the affected farmers need a helping hand to recover and return to normal.World Bank plans flood-related support of up to $1.7b

Additional Secretary Muhammad Asif apprised that the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) database can help to identify the farmers for the targeted subsidy.

Moreover, the National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC) has developed a digital application that can help in delivering to the farmers.

Federal Minister Tariq Bashir emphasized enhancing coordination among the federal government, provincial governments, the World Bank, and other stakeholders to provide relief and help to the needy on a most urgent basis.

Federal Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema assured full support from the Ministry for the projects and initiatives by the World Bank in Pakistan. He said that relief and assistance to the farming community will help in achieving food security.