Madagascar - Multi-Country Covid-19 Response Support Program (MCRSP)

The proposed intervention focuses on the Malagasy component of the Multi-country COVID19 Response Support Program (MCRSP) in Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Sao Tome and Principe (MMMS countries). The proposed operation is designed as Crisis Response Budget Support (CRBS) and will be implemented over one year from July 2020. This is an African Development Fund (ADF) and Transition Support Facility grants and a loan totaling UA 100.4 million for all four (4) countries. The MMMS countries have been combined into one group to ensure efficiency in the processing of the CRBS support under the Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office (RDGS), in order to fast track the Bank’s assistance to RMCs. They have similar characteristics and needs in dealing with the pandemic, adopting a common approach and response across the four countries. Except for STP (that falls within RDGS), their plans align with the SADC strategic priorities for the health sector. Madagascar recorded its three first positive cases on 19 March 2020. As at 6 July 2020, there were 3250 confirmed cases, 33 deaths and 1135 recoveries. A state of health emergency was declared on 21 March 2020 with several measures in order to contain the spread of the disease and lower its economic and social impact. The program is structured around 3 mutually reinforcing components: (i) Protect labour force productivity against the outbreak threat by strengthening diagnosis capacity and public health response to COVID-19; (ii) Safeguarding incomes and livelihoods through enhanced social protection, and (iii) Strengthening economic resilience and protecting jobs.