Even prior to the crises, Ethiopian and refugee children had poor nutrition and low learning outcomes. The 2020 Human Capital Index (HCI) shows that a child in Ethiopia will only reach 38% of his or her potential, against a benchmark of complete education and full health. Ethiopia’s HCI score is pulled down by a high stunting rate and poor child learning outcomes. Over a third of children (37%) are stunted – a reflection of severe malnutrition which puts them at a high risk of cognitive and physical limitations that impact their life opportunities. An Ethiopian child is expected to complete 7.8 years of schooling by age 18; however, when taking into account the poor quality of education, most children effectively complete the equivalent of only 4.3 years of education by the time he or she turns 18 years old.

“This project arrives at a pivotal moment for Ethiopia as it seeks to boost social cohesion and champion peacebuilding. It will strengthen basic service delivery and mitigate the impact of crises on access and quality of essential services across regions to unlock the full potential of all Ethiopians,” said Ousmane Dione, World Bank Group Country Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan.

The operation builds on lessons from previous programs such as the Enhancing Shared Prosperity through Equitable Services (ESPES) program, which demonstrated the impact of results-based financing on empowering frontline staff to achieve national results, expanding coverage and quality of services, and enhancing citizen engagement.

Of the $400 million of International Development Association (IDA) financing, $350 million is a grant through the Window for Host Community and Refugees and the Crisis Response Window. To ensure the effective and transparent use of financing, the Human Capital Operation will be subject to rigorous fiduciary safeguards, as is the case with all World Bank projects. The operation will prioritize citizen engagement and accountability, ensuring that communities have a voice in the design and implementation of programs that affect their lives. This approach will help to build trust and ensure that the operation delivers results that are sustainable and inclusive.

* The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 74 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change to the 1.3 billion people who live in IDA countries. Since 1960, IDA has provided $458 billion to 114 countries. Annual commitments have averaged about $29 billion over the last three years (FY19-FY21), with about 70 percent going to Africa. Learn more online: IDA.worldbank.org. #IDAworks