World Bank [to 21 March 2015]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

World Bank Statement on Bardo Museum Attack in Tunisia
TUNIS, March 19, 2015—World Bank Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer Sri Mulyani Indrawati issued the following statement today: “On behalf of the World Bank Group I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people and government of Tunisia. I am deeply saddened by the horrific attacks that occurred at the historical Bardo museum in Tunis. As an example of a successful democratic transition, Tunisia stands as a beacon for the region. Since 2011, Tunisians have passed hurdle after hurdle and proved their deepest commitment to transform their country in a peaceful way. This attack, which occurred during my visit to Tunisia, will only strengthen our resolve to stand by the Tunisian people and support the government in creating shared and equitable growth.”…
Date: March 19, 2015

The Renewable Electricity Grid: The Future Is Now
These approaches include strengthening interconnections between areas, diversifying the contribution of different renewable energy sources from various locations, and building up complementary generation and demand response technologies. The report builds upon previous reports on the topic published by the World Bank and other international organizations, by focusing on the important role that natural gas and energy storage can play in integrating variable renewable energy sources. With their fast start-up times, natural gas-fired power generation technologies have an edge over other conventional generation options such as nuclear or coal in that they can ramp up and down quickly, providing power as needed to balance variations in wind and solar inputs. Likewise, energy storage options have the potential to address most of the challenging aspects of integration…
Date: March 18, 2015

Improving Living Conditions for Marginalized Roma
This handbook is the latest addition to a growing library of knowledge and is designed to help prepare and implement effective interventions for improving the living conditions of disadvantaged Roma at the local level. By focusing on the integration of interventions in the four areas of housing, employment, education, and health care, this handbook reinforces the idea that a collective approach to engagement can be more effective than a sector-by-sector silo approach.“ Poverty and exclusion among Roma present a number of multi-faceted challenges,” notes Kosuke Anan, Senior Social Development Specialist at the World Bank and author of the Handbook, “interventions in a diverse number of areas, from health to education to employment, are all necessary to help improve the living conditions of Roma. But what we find is that coordination among these programs can significantly increase their effectiveness…
Date: March 18, 2015

World Bank Boosts Fisheries in Mauritania and Guinea, Contributing to the Ebola Recovery
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2015 – The World Bank Group’s (WBG) Board of Executive Directors today approved a total of US$22 million to strengthen the management and governance of fisheries as well as improve the handling of fish that is brought to shore in Mauritania and Guinea. Today’s project that focuses on these two countries is a component of the ongoing West Africa Regional Fisheries Program (WARFP), a nine-country, multi-phase series of projects approved by the World Bank in 2009 to ensure the productivity of West African water’s wealth of fish resources is maintained at its best level. The other countries under implementation included in the program are Cabo-Verde, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. “Fisheries are a key contributor to food security, nutrition and job creation for Guinea and Mauritania, who are among the poorest and most vulnerable in the world. Fish and fish products accounts for an average of 17.9% of animal protein…
Date: March 16, 2015

World Bank Group Statement On Cyclone Pam
SYDNEY, March 15 2015 – We are deeply concerned for the people of Vanuatu in the face of the devastation caused by Cyclone Pam. We are waiting for official casualty reports and stand ready to help. The World Bank’s disaster risk management (DRM) team is monitoring the situation closely. The priority at this stage will be for the humanitarian and relief agencies to provide emergency assistance. “Our hearts go out to the people of Vanuatu in the wake of the devastation from Cyclone Pam. Vanuatu is ranked as one of the world’s most at-risk countries to natural disasters because of its vulnerability and exposure to cyclones,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “Cyclone Pam is a devastating reminder of the risks of disasters and we will be working closely with the Government to provide any necessary support. “The World Bank Group is now looking at every possible avenue and working with partners to support the people of Vanuatu…
Date: March 15, 2015