World Bank Executive Board Approves 2 Aid Packages Worth $380 Million for COVID-19 Relief Efforts

On August 4, 2020, The World Bank Executive Board approved 2 Aid Packages worth $380 million for Afghan Communities and Households (REACH) and the Agricultural Emergency and Food Supply (EATS) programs in order to combat the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 in Afghanistan.

Of that amount, $280 million will support the REACH program, which is dedicated to supporting poor and vulnerable families;$155 million of it is provided by the International Development Association (IDA), a member of the World Bank, and $125 million will be provided by the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) managed by the World Bank on behalf of 34 donor countries.

The project will benefit 2.9 million families across Afghanistan;the Relief Effort for Afghan Communities and Households (REACH) program will be carried out through Citizen Charter at the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation, and it will cover 90% of vulnerable groups with a daily income of two dollars or less.

Of the total $380 million package, $100 million of it is earmarked for the Agricultural Emergency and Food Supply (EATS) project; $55 million of it will be provided by the International Development Association (IDA) and the other $45 million by the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund.  This Aid is provided to the Government of Afghanistan for better and effective managing COVID-19 to assist those in need, with the aim of creating short-term economic opportunities and supporting food supply chains for vulnerable groups. The amount will be allocated to the provision of irrigation services in the agricultural sector, distribution of improved agricultural seeds to farmers, especially wheat, which is 70% of main staple food for the Afghan people. The project will also help with short-term irrigation and job creation projects in rural areas.