According to the Bank’s website, the objective of this project is to improve access to basic services responsive to community priorities in at-risk areas.

This project has four components.

1) The first component, Provision of essential village infrastructure and services, will finance socio-economic infrastructure and agricultural livelihood activities at the village level.

2) The second component, Provision of essential commune infrastructure and services, will finance more substantial investments at the municipal level, with the criterion that they benefit several villages.

3) The third component, Restoring trust and reconciliation through inclusive planning and facilitation, will finance social and technical facilitation.

4) The fourth component, Project Management, will finance the operational costs of the project, including staff, technical assistance, monitoring and evaluations, the management information system, training, travel, fiduciary and environmental and social risk management, establishment of a grievance redress mechanism, equipment, and other management costs.

The objective of the Project is to improve access to basic services responsive to community priorities in at-risk areas. The Government aims to deliver a package of critical services requested by communities in two types of geographic areas: (i) communes affected by the conflict that have recently come under control of the State in northern Mali (Kidal, Tombouctou, Taoudenni); and (ii) fragile communes where improved services will contribute to prevent an escalation of tensions in the south (Nara, Nioro, Kayes). The Government is particularly interested in assisting areas in the north and southern regions where a large part of the population has fled due to violence and conflict and where it is expected that improved services and economic opportunities will contribute to the gradual return of the displaced. It is estimated that the project will cover approximately 850 villages and 57 communes in these six regions of the country. The geographical targeting within these regions will remain flexible given the uncertainty of the field security situation.

ES risk is rated as Substantial at this stage, and will be confirmed by appraisal. The activities planned under components 1 and 2 of the project are likely to have limited to moderate impacts on the environment. These impacts are essentially: (i) risks of deforestation, fragmentation of natural habitats, soil erosion and temporary disturbance of local flora and fauna during road construction/rehabilitation work; (ii) dust and gas emissions from construction equipment and the risk of accidental fuel and lubricant spills may pollute the air, water and soil; and (iii) environmental impacts related to construction materials, waste management and site disturbance. The project is intervening in a highly complex social context in remote rural areas, which remain insecure and vulnerable. Key social risks relate to social cohesion and potential social conflicts: the project will intervene in areas where state has not been present for a number of years, basic services have not been available, and hence expectations will run high and will need to be carefully managed. Exclusion from project benefits may lead to social tensions. Functionality, legitimacy and capacity of the local organizations will also need to be assessed to ensure they can manage their role in implementing the activities.

A proposed credit in the amount of EUR 135.4 million (US$ 150.0 million equivalent).

World Bank

Susan Wong
Lead Social Development Specialist

Borrower/Client/Recipient

The Republic of Mali

Implementing Agencies

Ministry of Reconciliation, Peace and National Cohesion
Ismael Wague
Minister
gouv.ml@gmail.com

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