• Implementation Support Agency (ISA): World Bank
  • Total project financing: $25 million
  • Funding from GCFF: $2.05 million
  • GCFF Financing Approval Date: 05/03/2022
  • Project Closing Date: 09/30/2022
  • % Disbursed: 18.6%
  • Status: Under implementation
Strengthening Lebanon’s Covid-19 Response

About the project

The World Bank is well-positioned to effectively continue to support Lebanon in strengthening its response to COVID-19. This project has supported the procurement of 3.25 million of COVID-19 vaccine doses, as well as supplies for vaccine deployment, equipment for 45 hospitals and 180 ICU beds and financial support to cover 14,527 COVID-19 related bills. The government has secured a portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines through bilateral agreements, COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility (self-financing), and donations. The government also signed a Manufacturing and Supply Agreement with Pfizer on January 17, 2021.

Project Development Objective (PDO)

To prevent, detect and respond to the threat posed by COVID-19 and strengthen Lebanon’s national system for public health preparedness.

Project Implementation Status
(As of December 31, 2022)

The Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) has been cleared and disclosed. The project was ratified by the Parliament on October 18, 2022, (Law #308). However, to declare the project effective, the issuance of a decree from the Council of Ministers is still pending. The delay is caused by the political situation in the country since cabinet meetings are halted due to the presidential void. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has been actively following up on launching project implementation activities and has submitted the Project Operations Manual (POM) – legal covenant, which was reviewed by the Bank. The MoPH is currently addressing the Bank’s comments and finalizing the POM. The Labor Management Procedures (LMP) have been cleared and disclosed.