World Bank downgrades $245 million Balochistan flood rehabilitation project over housing beneficiary cap

According to Dawn, the World Bank has lowered the implementation rating of its $245 million Integrated Flood Resilience & Adaptation Project in Balochistan to 'moderately unsatisfactory'. The lender's public disclosure, dated August 12, pointed mainly to the government's decision to restrict beneficiaries in the resilient housing element. More than 74,000 households have received first-phase housing aid, while a financing gap, grievances and communication problems add risk.

Earlier, Country Director Boloromaa Amgaabazar voiced concern over limits of 62,966 first-tranche housing beneficiaries and 97,000 subsidy recipients. Irrigation, roads and bridges work has a named project director, a stronger implementation unit and procurement under way. Designs and bidding documents are nearly complete, yet none of the three output indicators tied to the project objective has been met. Early warning and hydro-met work has improved after a new deputy project director and an automatic weather station contract, though several critical procurements remain pending.

A technical mission found the project out of line with environmental and social rules as of July 6. A revised Project Implementation Manual is still missing, leaving a legal covenant marked 'Not Complied With' under the financing agreement. The bank warned delays could affect eligibility of this fiscal year's spending, with the rating reviewed at an October mission. The Ministry of Planning and Development said it stays in regular contact with the bank and wants aid to reach Balochistan's people directly.