Tanzania - Covid-19 Crisis Response Budget Support Program (TCRBSP)

The proposed operation relates to a loan of UA 36 million to the United Republic of Tanzania from the country’s ADF-15 Performance Based Allocation to finance the Crisis Response Budget Support Program (TCRBSP). This operation is prepared in accordance with the Bank Group’s COVID-19 Response Facility (CRF) and in response to a request from the Tanzanian Government dated 23 April 2020. Indeed, Tanzania’s first recorded case of COVID-19 was on 26thMarch 2020 and has reported 509 cases and 21 deaths. In response to the pandemic, Government of Tanzania (GoT) has prepared a National COVID-19 response plan (NCRP) estimated at TZ 250billion (US$ 109 million) to develop and coordinate mitigation measures as well as mobilize resources. This response plan aims to prevent and detect the threats posed by COVID-19, while strengthening the country’s systems preparedness for public health emergencies. The purpose of the proposed operation is to support the Government of Tanzania’s (GoT) efforts to build economic resilience while mitigating the socio-economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on local businesses, vulnerable households and the country’s health system. The operation consists of three broad mutually reinforcing components namely:(i) Safeguard economic resilience against COVID-19 shocks; (ii) Strengthen the health system to contain COVID-19 spread and (iii) Mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the vulnerable.