WB provides $24 m for health care

Half the project funds to be allocated to the conflict-affected Northern and Eastern Provinces

The World Bank last week approved a US$24 million IDA credit providing further support to the Government of Sri Lanka’s health service delivery program, with particular emphasis on the special health needs in the north and east arising out of the recent conflict.
With the end of the military conflict, Sri Lanka is now facing the challenges of resettlement and reconstruction within the context of reconciliation. An immediate challenge is to provide basic health services to the conflict-affected populations in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, including around 280,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently residing in temporary camps.
“Half the project’s amount, namely US$12 million, will go to the Northern and Eastern Provinces to help them meet their special health needs arising from the conflict. This reflects the Bank’s commitment to addressing consequences of the conflict whenever we can,” said Naoko Ishii, World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka. “An upcoming health needs assessment for the north and east will determine the specific activities the project will finance, but it could include mobile clinics at IDP camps, rehabilitation of disabled, treatment of traumatized persons, and other immediate priorities.”
The US$24 million is additional financing to Health Sector Development Project (HSDP), currently financed by an IDA grant of US$60 million which was approved by the Bank on June 15, 2004.