PANDEMIC RESPONSE EFFECTIVENESS IN PAKISTAN

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This emergency project (prepared as per the Bank IPF Policy, para. 12) will address critical country-level needs to prevent, detect and respond to the threat posed by COVID-19. It will support strengthening the country’s national health systems for public health preparedness, and includes mitigation measures in social protection and education to help the poor and vulnerable cope with the immediate impact of the pandemic. The Project will have 4 components: Component 1. Emergency COVID-19 Preparedness and ResponseThis component aims to slow down and limit as much as possible the spread of COVID-19 in the country. This will be achieved through providing immediate support to prevention, detection, case management and mitigation of risks and response to health threats and disease epidemics. Sub-component 1.1. Prevention:This sub-component will support: (i) the implementation of the COVID-19 National Action Plan prepared by the MONHSRC and ensure that provincial costed action plans are prepared and implemented; (ii) the national risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) strategy for preparedness and its implementation. Sub-component 1.2. Detection This sub-component will support enhancing of disease detection capacity through increasing surveillance capacity, provision of technical expertise, strengthening laboratory and diagnostic systems to ensure prompt case finding and local containment. Sub-component 1.3. Response This sub-component will support the establishment of quarantine facilities with collaboration of public / private sector hospitals with provision of logistics, equipment supplies, and IEC material. Component 2. Mitigation of Disruptive Impacts Sub-component 2.1. Emergency Social Safety NetThis component aims to address significant negative externalities expected in the event of a widespread COVID-19 outbreak using different safety net mechanisms based on the extent of disruptions. Sub-component 2.1a. Emergency Cash Transfers to Protect the PoorestThis sub-component will help deploy this existing system to mitigate the socioeconomic impacts of the outbreak with equity and speed. Sub-component 2.1b. Emergency Food supply for Quarantined PopulationsThis sub-component would finance delivery of basic food supplies to households affected by severe mobility disruptions for a period of 6 months. Sub-component 2.2. Mitigation of Impacts in Education This sub-component aims to address significant disruptive impacts expected in the event of a widespread COVID-19 outbreak, which will keep children, teachers, and administrators out of school for a prolonged period.Component 3. Implementation Management and Monitoring and Evaluation This component will support strengthening of structures for the coordination and management of the project, including federal and provincial arrangements for coordination of activities. Component 4: Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC) In the event of a future eligible crisis or emergency, the project will contribute to providing immediate and effective response to said crisis or emergency.