The World Bank has approved the accession of five countries — Angola, Burundi, Malawi, Seychelles, and Zambia — to phase 2 of the Regional Emergency Preparedness and Access to Inclusive Recovery (REPAIR) program.

More than twelve million people in Angola, Burundi, Malawi, Seychelles, and Zambia will benefit from the second phase of the Regional Program for Emergency Preparedness and Access to Inclusive Recovery (REPAIR), an initiative supported by the World Bank to build resilience to climate shocks and other disasters. Approved today by the World Bank's Board of Directors, this $400 million phase aims to mobilize an additional $395 million in private capital through insurance solutions in order to maximize the financial coverage of participating countries.

“REPAIR highlights the potential of collaboration between African countries, private actors and partners to provide large-scale solutions to common challenges such as floods, droughts, pandemics and other shocks, in order to save lives and maintain livelihoods,” said Marina Wes, acting director of regional integration for Africa at the World Bank. “Its regional approach improves profitability, promotes the exchange of knowledge and innovative practices, and strengthens financial planning and preparation to ensure rapid support for vulnerable communities in times of crisis.

“Speed, flexibility, and sustainability are the fundamental pillars of REPAIR,” said Hassan Zaman, World Bank Regional Director for Prosperity. “Under this program, participating countries benefit from tailor-made financial instruments designed to provide them with funds quickly within seven days of a disaster. The program also improves the efficiency and availability of local distribution channels in each country to ensure that aid reaches affected communities quickly after a disaster.

Repair builds on the findings of the recent East and Southern Africa Climate and Development Reports (CCDR), which highlight the urgency of strengthening climate adaptation and resilience in order to reduce fragility and facilitate economic recovery and job creation after a shock.