Contacts In Washington: Cosma Gatere (202) 458-7170 cgatere@worldbank.org Washington, March 5, 2007 - The World Bank has launched a new framework that will enable it to swiftly respond to disasters and emergencies, and allow for more effective long-term support of recovery efforts. The policy establishes a new mechanism that will provide initial funding for critical start-up activities within a few weeks of a disaster. The time taken to disburse funds for longer term reconstruction will be cut from 9 months to a targeted 12 weeks, by simplifying administrative and processing procedures in the critical early stages of recovery. The policy will be supported by staffing and organizational measures to strengthen the World Bank’s capacity to help with long-term economic recovery efforts in countries emerging from conflict and with fragile states. Under these measures, the World Bank will increase the number of staff assigned to work on reconstruction and development programs in these countries. “Our partners in crisis deserve swift and effective response from the Bank that is available in weeks, not the six-to-nine months it takes today,” said World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz. “This new framework not only allows us to provide emergency financing swiftly, it enables us to increase our staffing levels in affected countries beyond the crisis period to help with rebuilding and development.” The framework will also help develop a more strategic approach to risk prevention and reduction in countries prone to recurring disasters. Multi-disciplinary Bank teams will convene a single task force to develop a coordinated response, emphasizing greater speed throughout the emergency operations period. “It had become apparent that our response to crisis situations differed little from our response to long term development challenges. This new approach simplifies initial reporting and processing requirements in emergency situations but provides for more systematic and intense supervision during later stages of the project,” said Jeff Gutman, World Bank Operations Vice-President. While the new policy expands the possible scope of involvement by the World Bank to include social aspects of emergency assistance, the Bank will focus on its core economic and development competencies, working with other partners who will lead on relief and peace building efforts. The policy will facilitate much closer integration of efforts with partners including the United Nations, regional institutions, donors, and NGOs. There will be a focus on simplifying procedures for Bank coordination with all partners to truly accelerate emergency response, the paper says. “While there are risks in emergency operations, it is important to acknowledge the high development benefits of rapidly responding to emergencies,” said Gutman. “The risks of continued conflict and the missed opportunities associated with inaction or delayed response, far outweigh the risks of engaging early on.” The new policy will help address implementation and financing constraints immediately a crisis occurs that often delay the overall recovery program. “When I was in the field working in crisis situations in Rwanda, Burundi and Timor-Leste, we wanted this type of response from headquarters”, said Sarah Cliffe, now manager of the World Bank’s Fragile States Unit. “I am so pleased that we have made these changes and know that it will help those struggling for quick and lasting results on the ground.” ### | 
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