Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 28 /Trend N.Ismayilova /
A WB mission headed by Project Manager Joanna De Berry is visiting Azerbaijan from March 1 to review a project to promote the economic development of IDPs, the WB Baku Office said.
According to the information, the mission will be in Baku until March 13.
The cost of the project's first phase is $12.6 million, of which $11.5 million will be allocated by the WB. Contrary to practice, project funds were introduced a year earlier, but the realization of 50 (of 200) micro-infrastructural projects were not completed due to inflationary processes. Their implementation demanded additional funds. Only $24.19 million was allocated to finish the project, of which 9.6 million SDR ($ 15 million) fell to the WB, and $8.69 million (including VAT at $3.69 million) to the government.
As of mid-August 2010, $4.5 million of $15 million allocated by IDA for additional funding for the project were mastered. The project is planned to be completed on December 31, 2011.
Under the project, 108,000 IDPs will receive benefits.
The WB allocated a total of three credits to support Azerbaijani IDPs. The WB allocated the first loan worth $10 million in 2001. These funds financed 192 micro-projects for infrastructure rehabilitation in areas where IDPs live. Roughly 170,000 received benefit from the project.
In 2009, 1,700 families (6,500 IDP) were provided with housing in new settlements in Azerbaijan.