COTONOU, June 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The World Bank will provide Benin with 50 million U.S. dollars, to cope with socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, according to statement in the capital, Cotonou.
Approved by the World Bank Board of Directors on June 26, in Washington, the financial package is to “help Benin mitigate the impact of the virus crisis, in the socioeconomic recovery phase.”
“This support will help bridge the gap in budgetary resources, to meet basic social and productive sector needs,” said Atou Seck, World Bank Country Manager for Benin.
“The spread of the virus has led to a decline in economic activities, the country’s economic growth and the state’s revenues, while it has to meet pressing needs,” he said.
The support is drawn from International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank fund for the poorest.
It brougth the total amount allocated by the World Bank to Benin to address the coronavirus health crisis to about 90 million U.S. dollars.
So far, Benin reported 1,124 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 815 patients are under treatment, 295 have recovered and a total death toll of 14, since it declared its first case on Mar 16.– NNN-AGENCIES
