By: Admin
The government of Sudan and the World Bank signed on Wednesday March 24, 2021 a grant agreement to finance the second phase of the (Thamarat) program, with an amount of $ 390 million to support families in Sudan. The total project cost for the first and second phases is US $ 820 million. The project will be funded in equal amounts through the International Development Association, an affiliate of the World Bank, as a pre-settlement grant for Sudan’s debt arrears, in addition to generous donor support through the Sudan Transition and Recovery Trust Fund, which includes 13 donors.
With the signing of the additional financing agreement of $ 210 million, the IDA grant contribution will reach $ 410 million and the donor’s contribution will increase to $ 350 million in total. Additional funding amounting to $ 410 million in donor contributions will be signed later, once the support is received.
Dr Gabriel Ibrahim, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning said “we celebrate the World Bank’s approval to fund the second phase of the (Thamarat) program, our development partners, this is a collective achievement, and we celebrate this with all of you”
He added “We also know that cash transfer is not a complete answer for many Sudanese families, the goal is productivity and jobs and to achieve this, we are committed to removing distortions and imbalances in economic policies, as reform is the only way to a strong and stable
The program will provide the equivalent of five US dollars in Sudanese currency for each family member for a period of six months as a start. Subject to availability of funding, the support will be extended to twelve months, with the goal of eventually reaching 80% of the population, or nearly 32 million Sudanese citizens.
“We are very pleased to continue our partnership with the Sudanese government in its efforts to increase support for Sudanese families,” said Othman Dion, World Bank Country Director for Sudan.
He added “We will continue our partnership with Sudan for the success of this program by providing the government with all possible resources and resources for its citizens.”
The government has demonstrated its commitment to making this program a success by making all possible resources available. This additional funding reaffirms the World Bank’s pledge to continue supporting the government’s commendable economic reform efforts to stabilize the economy and reconnect with the international community. “
The first phase of the program was officially launched in Khartoum on February 24, 2021, with a funding of $ 400 million. About 11 million citizens are expected to benefit from the initial phase of the project, which will be implemented in the states of Khartoum, the Red Sea, Kassala and South Darfur, representing 33 percent of the total number of expected beneficiaries when the program is extended on a large scale.
As of March 3, about 80,000 Sudanese families (nearly 400,000 beneficiaries) received first month payments through cash cards. Total payments to these beneficiaries were approximately $ 1.9 million. The majority of these beneficiaries are in Khartoum State, and the support will soon extend to other states. The second phase of the program will reach the states of Blue Nile, White Nile, Sennar, Central Darfur, East Darfur, North Kordofan, Southern Kordofan and West Kordofan.
According to Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, the program is perhaps the transitional government’s biggest achievement to date and his sovereignty affirmed his government’s full commitment to its citizens. Prime Minister Hamdok said during the launch of the first phase of the program, “The launch of this program will restore confidence between the state and the citizens by developing effective policies and institutions for social protection that meet the demands and aspirations of the Sudanese people for a decent life.”
The project has three components they are providing cash transfers, establishing delivery systems and building institutional capacity and project management, monitoring, evaluation and learning.
The program is implemented by the Government of Sudan and in coordination with the Ministries of Finance, Economic Planning, Social and Interior Development, Communications and Digital Transformation, as well as other relevant institutions.
The World Bank will provide technical support to the government to strengthen financial systems and social protection and monitor program activities in order to ensure effective project implementation.
