October, 2000
World Bank Approves Credit to the Palestinian Authority for Solid Waste and Environmental Management

Contact Person:
In West Bank and Gaza: Ma'moon Sbeih
Fax: +972-2-2366543
Phone: +972-2-3366511
E-mail: msbeih@worldbank.org
In Washington: Hanan Dowidar
Phone: (202) 473-7199
E-mail: dhanan@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, October 10, 2000--The World Bank's Board of Directors today approved a credit to the Palestinian Authority in the amount of US$9.5 million for a Solid Waste and Environmental Management Project.

The project's objective is to implement an environmentally sound solid waste management system for the Jenin District. This objective will be pursued through: a) construction of a controlled sanitary landfill in Jenin District (Zahrat Al-Fanjan); b) rehabilitation/closure of uncontrolled dumps; c) improvement in solid waste management services in the district through the supply of equipment and the strengthening of management and operation capacities; d) building institutional capacity in the newly created joint Services Council for regional solid waste management services; and e) strengthening the institutional and monitoring capacity of the Ministry of Environmental Affairs.

The project is expected to benefit over 200,000 people in the Jenin District who would have access to better solid waste management services. They would also benefit through a cleaner environment including reduction in air pollution and improvement in public health due to the closure of the unsightly dumps in their cities and villages. Furthermore, the population as a whole is expected to benefit though better preservation of water quality of underground aquifiers for themselves and their future generations. The municipalities and Ministry of Environmental Affairs will benefit through enhanced institutional capacity building.

The overall project cost is US$14 million. The World Bank's credit of US$9.5º million is drawn from the Trust Fund for Gaza and the West Bank and is on standard IDA (International Development Association) terms with a 40-year maturity, a 10-year grace period, and 0.75 percent service charge. The credit is accompanied by counterpart financing from the Palestinian Authority of US$1.25 million and by co-financing of US$3.25 million from the European Commission.