Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 16 / Trend , N.Ismayilova /
Azerbaijan and the World Bank (WB) signed a credit agreement in Baku to provide $50 million to launch a project on improving the living conditions and income of IDPs.
The agreement was undersigned on behalf of the Azerbaijani Government by Deputy Prime Minister Ali Hasanov and WB Baku Office Deputy Manager Said Bagirli from the World Bank.
The loan is drawn from the resources of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD is part of the WB). The share of government involvement in the project is $28.5 million. Thus, the overall funding of the project is $78.5 million.
The principal objective of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Economic Development Support (EDS) Project is to help improve the living conditions of IDPs and enhance their economic opportunities and prospects for social integration.
The project aims to solve the problems of migrants and support state-funded programmes to provide housing for the homeless. The project builds on experience gained in similar projects of the World Bank. There have implemented more than 400 micro-projects that have covered more than 120 000 IDPs throughout Azerbaijan under these projects.
The project specifically aims at improving the living conditions of IDPs living in public buildings, providing them with permanent jobs with a view to improving the welfare of the population. Objectives will be achieved through a variety of means, including investments in small infrastructure micro-projects and services that the community of IDPs identified as high priority.
Under the project, there will be over 200 micro-projects carried out that will cover 120,000-150,000 people. It will also contribute to improving the living conditions of about 30,000 people. About 1400 young people will be able to get training and grants to start their own business. In addition, about 1500 micro credits will be given to the displaced to open or expand a business.
In total, about 185,000 IDPs in Azerbaijan will have greater access to infrastructure services, to improve their living conditions and earning potential under the new WB project.
The Bank has already allocated three credits in support of IDPs. The first loan worth $ 10 million was provided in 2001. Then, 192 micro credits were funded to rebuild infrastructure in areas where IDPs live with some 170,000 people benefitting from this project.
The second loan amounted to 11.5 million. Some $24.19 million was allocated for the completion of the project dollars. Completion of this project is scheduled for Dec.31, 2011. Some 108,000 people benefited from this project.