World Bank to approve $150 million funding for Sindh’s flood recovery

The World Bank is expected to approve an additional $150 million to assist the Sindh government in restoring critical infrastructure damaged during the 2022 floods and improving the region’s disaster response capacity. 

The financing aims to address existing gaps and enhance the project’s overall impact by supporting institutional strengthening and scaling up key activities.

The funds will support rehabilitation of essential irrigation systems, flood protection infrastructure, and flood-damaged roads, contributing to improved disaster resilience. The project directly aligns with the Country Partnership Framework’s goal of increasing resilience to floods and other climate-related disasters.

The parent project has already disbursed its funding within two years, with many activities either completed or near completion. Over 3.6 million people in Sindh have benefited from rehabilitated infrastructure, with women comprising 47% of those impacted.

The additional financing will focus on several key areas. Subcomponent 1.1 will prioritize the rehabilitation of irrigation and flood control infrastructure, including embankment strengthening and the construction of flood detention dams. The $104 million allocated for this will also integrate nature-based solutions where feasible.

Subcomponent 1.2 will allocate $30 million for the restoration of road networks in flood-affected regions, ensuring they meet improved climate resilience and safety standards.

Subcomponent 3.1 will enhance the Sindh Emergency Rescue Service by adding $8.5 million to improve operational readiness, including the provision of rescue vehicles, equipment, and the establishment of control rooms. It will also support the creation of gender-sensitive response protocols for handling cases of gender-based violence.

Subcomponent 3.3 will invest $3 million in strategic studies to enhance flood resilience by advancing technical studies and supporting the establishment of a remote sensing and GIS laboratory.

The additional financing will also support project management activities to ensure compliance with environmental and social standards, including the recruitment of a consultancy firm to assist in project implementation.