São Tomé-and-Príncipe - Multi-Country Covid-19 Response Support Program (MCRSP)

The proposed intervention focuses on the Sao Tome and Principe component of the Multi-country COVID19 Response Support Program (MCRSP) in Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Sao Tome and Principe (MMMS countries). 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. As at 6 July 2020, there were 720 confirmed cases in Sao Tome and Principe, with 13 deaths and 268 patients having recovered. Despite the government’s swift containment measures, lack of testing capacity has hampered efforts to control the pandemic. Government declared a state of emergency and imposed social distancing measures on 17 March as a precaution before any confirmed cases. A lack of testing capacity – having to send samples abroad for testing – caused significant delays in identifying and controlling cases. The proposed operation is designed as Crisis Response Budget Support (CRBS) and will be implemented over one year from July 2020. The program consists of three broad mutually reinforcing components (i) Protecting labour force productivity by strengthening diagnosis capacity and public health response to COVID-19; (ii) Safeguarding incomes and livelihoods through enhanced social protection systems; (iii) Strengthening economic resilience and protecting jobs against COVID-19 Shocks.