World Bank President Wolfensohn Visits Countries;
Assessment Teams Begin Work The World Bank has committed $250 million in initial assistance to countries affected by the earthquake and tsunami of Dec. 26, 2004. Assessment teams are working to determine the medium and longer term costs of reconstruction. World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn said the Bank's contribution to the rebuilding effort could double or treble in size, going forward. Working together with country governments, the Asian Development Bank, and other partners, the Bank is preparing Joint Needs Assessments that will guide the different reconstruction plans in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and other affected countries. “This is well beyond restoring water and sanitation and roads,” Wolfensohn said. “It is going to be about rebuilding communities and the lives of many people that were shocked and traumatized by the sheer devastation of the tragedy.” Wolfensohn met with regional leaders at the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Jakarta on January 6th. He urged the donor community to ensure that the long-term recovery of the devastated areas be carried out in a way that will break past cycles of poverty.
| | | The Bank's Role | What is the World Bank's role after a disaster?
The World Bank’s role is to support immediate and longer-term recovery and reconstruction, taking care to reduce the vulnerability of communities ...
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