World Bank provides US$10 mln to Moldova to alleviate drought effects

The Republic of Moldova will receive US$10 mln from the World Bank to overcome the aftermath of this year’s severe drought. The zero-interest credit is repayable in 40 years, including ten years of grace, as in the case of other WB projects implemented in Moldova. At a news conference on September 25, the World Bank Country Director Paul Bermingham said that the US$10 mln granted to alleviate the drought consequences is an additional credit to the projects approved for Moldova earlier. During the last years, the World Bank approved credits to assist the Government of Moldova in reconstructing the roads and in implementing a project in the area of healthcare and socials services. A new project to improve the drinking water supply services is under discussion and will be approved next year. Twelve WB projects are being implemented. The activities that the WB will support in the future depend on the new Country Partnership Strategy that will be based on the National Development Plan, Paul Bermingham said. According to Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev, the largest part of the US$10 mln credit will go to purchase seeds. A governmental commission set up to ensure transparency in the process will distribute the aid to the worst-affected farmers. It is not known yet how much money a farmer will get. The Government has provided 200 lei per hectare to the farmers to help them overcome the effect of this year’s natural disasters.