Additional Financing DRC COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Project

active

The proposed project will support the implementation of The Democratic Republic of Congo COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan endorsed by the Minister of Health (on March 16, 2020). It aims to: (i) strengthen technical and operational coordination of activities to prepare for and respond to COVID-19 through existing mechanisms and partnerships; (ii) develop and implement early detection of suspected cases of COVID-19 with or without epidemiological links (including monitoring of travelers with or without epidemiological links) at entry points (airports, ports and other border posts), health facilities and the community; (iii) respond quickly and effectively to any suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 thorough epidemiological investigation, evacuation, isolation and biological diagnosis, optimized psychosocial and medical care, preventive measures and infection control and tracking of pre-listed contacts; and (iv) develop and implement an aggressive communication campaign, awareness programs, and social distancing measures for behavioral change in the community, including communication at entry points and to airline companies.The AF will use the Multiphase Programmatic Approach. The AF and restructuring will include the following changes to the parent project: a. Revision of the total project costs to account for an additional IDA commitment of US$200 million;b. Expansion of activities across the country and thus revision of the PDO of the project where the phrase “with a focus on selected provinces” will be dropped from the PDO statement;c. Revision of components 1, 2, and 3 to add new activities that will increase development effectiveness and the impact of the COVID-19 response; d. Revision of the results framework to add new indicators and revise some of the existing indicators given project implementation experience so far and evolution of the pandemic in the country; and e. Extension of the Closing Date of the project by two years to June 30, 2024, to provide sufficient time for implementation of vaccine supply and deployment.