World Bank [to 27 June 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]

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World Bank Group Pledge Statement at the International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction 2015
With the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment complete and the Government’s new budget cycle beginning in mid-July the World Bank Group is mobilizing resources to align budget support and investments with the recovery and reconstruction needs. The World Bank Group plans to provide up to half-a-billion dollars to finance the reconstruction of Nepal, of which $300 million is new funding from the International Development Association’s Crisis Response Window. The World Bank Group support will consist of:$100 million for budget support: to be considered by the World Bank Board on June 29. This IDA credit will provide the Government of Nepal with short-term financial support to accelerate and expand relief and recovery efforts. It will also support policy measures to strengthen the country’s financial sector as a vehicle that channels resources for reconstruction to the private sector and households.$200 million for housing reconstruction…
Date: June 25, 2015

World Bank Group to Provide up to Half-a-Billion Dollars for Nepal Earthquake Recovery
KATHMANDU, June 23, 2015—The World Bank Group today said it would provide up to half-a-billion dollars to finance the reconstruction of Nepal after devastating earthquakes in April and May killed almost 9,000 people and left many mountain districts of the country in ruins. Subject to the approval of the Bank’s Board of Executive Directors, the financing will consist of $200 million for housing reconstruction in poor rural areas and another $100 million for the government’s budget and for strengthening the banking system, which has suffered with the economy. An additional $100 to $200 million will be redirected from existing World Bank projects in Nepal and invested in reconstruction efforts. Any reallocated money will be replaced with additional funds.“ The World Bank Group stands with the people of Nepal in their time of need,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim…
Date: June 23, 2015

Health Coverage Reaches 46 Million More in Latin America and the Caribbean, says new PAHO/WHO–World Bank report
Health system financing and efficiency remain top challenges to sustainability Since the early 2000s, Latin America and the Caribbean has seen meaningful progress toward universal health coverage with an additional 46 million people in nine countries having at least nominal guarantees of affordable health care, according to a new joint publication by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the World Bank, released here today.“ The region has increased its spending on health and narrowed the gap between rich and poor on a number of key outcomes: average life expectancy has risen significantly, more children live to see their first and fifth birthdays, and fewer mothers are dying from complications of childbirth,” said Jorge Familiar, World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Date: June 22, 2015
Type: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE
World Bank Group Statement on Policies, Accountability Mechanisms and Stakeholder Participation in WBG Projects
June 22, 2015
Around the world, including in the most difficult and challenging environments, our work aims to advance social and economic participation and rights – including in healthcare, education, social protection, key services and basic infrastructure. Many of the places we work in have complex political and social issues. Often, we work where others cannot or will not go. We do so because that is the only way to reach and help the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.
The success of our work depends on the ability of all affected parties to freely express their concerns. That is why we have high standards of stakeholder engagement—to ensure that our clients achieve the best possible development outcomes. All our country strategies and projects are based on dialogue with stakeholders, including civil society. World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim, has committed to incorporating beneficiary feedback in 100 percent of World Bank-financed projects by 2018.
Our ability to help eliminate poverty and improve livelihoods would be severely compromised without space for civil society to help shape development in their countries. Our environmental and social safeguard policies are designed to prevent and mitigate harm to people and the environment as a result of Bank Group-supported operations.
Those who feel they have been negatively affected by WBG projects have access to robust and independent grievance mechanisms and to bodies, such as the World Bank Inspection Panel and the IFC Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman, able to hold WBG institutions to account.
When allegations of reprisal are brought to our attention, we work—within the scope of our mandate—with appropriate parties to try to address them. Where links between reprisals and WBG-financed projects can be established, we have taken action as documented by past cases and we will continue to do so.
We have strong policies and mechanisms that address many concerns raised by human rights advocacy groups and civil society, and we are open to dialogue on improvements. We value the perspectives these groups bring. We will continue to work with them towards our shared goal of strengthening protections for people in the countries in which we work…