World Bank opens centre in Nairobi to support conflict victims

By John Oyuke

The World Bank has opened a global centre in Nairobi to ease financial support for the vulnerable.

The bank’s managing director for Nairobi Operations, Caroline Anstey said, the centre would allow the world lender to provide flexible assistance to communities affected by conflict in 30 countries.

She said the centre would foster knowledge sharing among communities on issues affecting fragile and conflict-affected countries.

"Nairobi hub represents a strategic shift in the way we help fragile and conflict affected countries. It will make us more flexible in improving people’s lives in desperate situations," Anstey said.

She said Nairobi hub would connect other agencies and groups working in fragile and conflict prone areas and reinforces partnerships.

Anstey noted that the Bank had mobilized more than 690 staff to work in fragile countries across the globe, and had provided more than $5.9 billion in zero-interest in reconstruction support to these countries since 2000.

Forging partnerships

She said the bank would work closely with aid agencies, NGOs, and conflict-affected countries and communities to deliver better, lasting development results.

"Political and criminal violence should not be the chains that shackle people for life. We know violence knows no borders. We know the impacts of violence can last generations," Anstey, who opened the Global Centre on Conflict, Security and Development stated.

The centre will also help to establish a stronger community of practice and knowledge sharing across the worldwide network of practitioners who work on development issues confronting fragile and conflict-affected countries.

Anstey pointed out that fragile and conflict-affected states are a key priority for the bank’s poverty-fighting mission.