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The Government of India, Andhra Pradesh and the World Bank today signed a $250-million credit agreement for the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery Project.
The project seeks to restore, improve and enhance the resilience of public services and livelihoods of communities affected by Hudhud cyclone in Andhra Pradesh. In October 2014, a cyclonic storm ‘Hudhud’ made landfall on Andhra Pradesh coast near Visakhapatnam causing huge loss.
To benefit 13 millionThe project will specifically benefit over 13 million people in the four severely affected districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari.
The agreement was signed by Selva Kumar, Acting Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, JC Sharma, Principal Secretary, Revenue Department, (Land and Disaster Management), of Andhra Pradesh and Onno Ruhl, Country Director, World Bank (India) in New Delhi.
Hazard proneBeing a natural hazard prone State due to its long coastline and location, 44 per cent of Andhra Pradesh is vulnerable to tropical storms and related hazards.
While the State managed to evacuate close to 250,000 persons living in low-lying areas and helped limit the death toll from the cyclone to 61, the cyclone caused major damage in 26 cities and towns, in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and East Godavari districts, and affected about 9.2 million persons, including 3 million in urban areas.
Through the project, the State will restore the damages caused to roads, public infrastructure, including environmental services and facilities.
Credit from IDA“The coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh are highly vulnerable to natural disasters that can push millions into poverty. Apart from reconstructing public infrastructure, the project will help the State be better prepared for the future by strengthening its disaster response system,” Onno Ruhl, World Bank Country Director in India, said in a statement.
The credit is from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessionary lending arm, and has a maturity of 25 years, including a 5-year grace period.
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