What role do the World Bank and Asian Development Bank play?
They operate almost entirely bilaterally and do not fund humanitarian action. They see their mission as medium and long-term reconstruction. This explains why the banks have so far only disbursed a fraction of the tsunami money they have put aside. It will start kicking in as the immediate relief operation gives way to infrastructure and livelihood projects to get people back on their feet. Most ADB tsunami money is in the form of grants with some concessionary loans. Most of the World Bank’s tsunami commitment is in the form of credit. Projects include restoring livelihoods, transport and housing, establishing an early warning system for the Indian Ocean and coastal protection.
