🇱🇧 Lebanon: Decisive action, change critical to rebuild

PLUS: World Bank Group surpasses its climate-finance target for third consecutive year. [Having trouble seeing this email?](  [Photo of the massive explosion site that happened at Beirut Port at Port Of Beirut, Lebanon. Photo: © Ali Chehade/Shutterstock](  [Decisive action and change needed to reform and rebuild a better Lebanon]( A new damage and needs assessment following the Beirut explosion calls for building back a better Lebanon based on the principles of transparency, inclusion and accountability. [Beirut Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA)]( | [Press Release]( | [Factsheet]( | [The World Bank in MENA]( |[The World Bank in Lebanon]( [Facebook]( [Twitter](  [Photos: 1 - Anam Abbas/Lighting Pakistan; 2 - Dominic Chavez/World Bank; 3 - Bart Verweij/World Bank](  [World Bank Group surpasses its climate-finance target for third consecutive year]( As countries struggle with COVID-19, they are also being hit by worsening climate impacts. For the third year in a row, World Bank Group lending for climate-related investments exceeded the target of 28%, reaching 29% or $21.4 billion in Fiscal Year 2020. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Mother and daughter in Ouarzazate, Morocco. © Aarthi Sivaraman/World Bank](  [Five things you need to know about social sustainability and inclusion]( It can help create more inclusive societies, enhance the empowerment of citizens, and foster more resilient and peaceful communities—if done right. Our new Social Sustainability and Inclusion (SSI) global practice aims to do just that, by reflecting, addressing and strengthening the rights of the excluded. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Blog --------------------------------------------------------------- [The author attends the GS1 Global Forum in Brussels, Belgium in February 2020. © David Plas/GS1, used with permission.]( [Preparing supply chains for future COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics]( "Nothing would undermine delivery of successful COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccines and therapeutic treatments faster than the emergence of fake vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics could be the catalyst to step up efforts around medicine traceability, but supply chains need to make fast progress." — Tom Woods, September 1 [Facebook]( [Twitter]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Results That Change Lives --------------------------------------------------------------- [© World Bank Group]( Balancing work and childcare [is a challenge for many women in Cambodia.]( But new affordable, reliable childcare centers are #ChangingLives. Read more [#ChangingLives stories.]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Broadcast Series & Virtual Events --------------------------------------------------------------- [© Paul Salazar/Banco Mundial]( [Replay: Productivity growth after the pandemic]( The COVID-19 pandemic has plunged the global economy into its deepest recession since the Second World War. The pandemic is likely to leave lasting scars ranging from lower investment to the erosion of human capital. Experts in economics discussed these issues in light of our new World Bank Group report, Global Productivity: Trends, Drivers, and Policies. Watch the replay! [Facebook]( [Twitter]( --------------------------------------------------------------- In the News --------------------------------------------------------------- - [1,000 Villages to Get Better Internet Connectivity, as part of World Bank Support to Georgia’s Digital Transformation]( - [World Bank Provides US$8 Million to Strengthen Agriculture and Food Security in Belize]( - [Thailand Receives Grant to Protect the Ozone Layer and Climate]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Social Media --------------------------------------------------------------- [.@AxelVT_WB introduces new approach from @WorldBank Group to tackle #COVID19 focusing on 4 pillars for our #COVID19 response operations: saving lives; protecting the poor & vulnerable; helping save jobs & businesses, & building a more ResilientRecovery: ( [The demand for handwashing due to #COVID19 could exacerbate the #MENA region’s water insecurity by raising consumption by up to 5% or by an add'l 4-5 million m3/day, which could cost between $150 -$250 million per month. Here's how @WorldBank is helping: ( --------------------------------------------------------------- Data Viz --------------------------------------------------------------- [Beirut: Damage Map]( overall damage incurred as a result of the explosion at the Port of Beirut is in the range of US$ 3.8 and 4.6 billion. In the Social Sectors, Housing and Culture are the most affected enduring substantial damage totaling between US$ 1.9 – 2.3 billion and US$ 1.0 – 1.2 billion, respectively. Tourism, and Commerce and Industry incurred most of the damage among the Productive and Financial Sectors with damages between US$ 170 – 205 million and US$ 105 – 125 million respectively. Damage to Infrastructure Sectors was concentrated on the Transport and Port sector, ranging between US$ 280 – 345 million. In the Cross-Cutting Sectors, Governance suffered the most damage, between US$ 65 – 80 million. 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