Solomon Islands : COVID-19 Rapid Response Program

Sovereign Project | 54178-001

The program will help finance the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the government's countercyclical policies which focus on preventing entry of the virus, supporting vulnerable groups, and economic stimulus. This budget support operation is using the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Option modality.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Hodge, Matthew W.
    Pacific Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Solomon Islands
  • Sector
    • Public sector management
Project Name
COVID-19 Rapid Response Program
Project Number
54178-001
Country / Economy
  • Solomon Islands
Project Status
Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance
  • Grant
  • Loan
Source of Funding / Amount
Grant 0708-SOL: COVID-19 Rapid Response Program
Source Amount
Asian Development Fund US$ 10.00 million
Loan 3938-SOL: COVID-19 Rapid Response Program
Source Amount
Concessional ordinary capital resources lending US$ 10.00 million
Loan: COVID-19 Rapid Response Program
Source Amount
Japan International Cooperation Agency US$ 23.88 million
Operational Priorities
  • OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities
  • OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality
  • OP6: Strengthening governance and institutional capacity
  • OP7: Fostering regional cooperation and integration
Sector / Subsector

  • Health / Disease control of communicable disease - Health system development

  • Public sector management / Public expenditure and fiscal management - Reforms of state owned enterprises - Social protection initiatives

Gender
Effective gender mainstreaming
Description
The program will help finance the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the government's countercyclical policies which focus on preventing entry of the virus, supporting vulnerable groups, and economic stimulus. This budget support operation is using the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Option modality.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy
Solomon Islands, a small island developing state, is among those classified as experiencing fragile and conflict-affected situations. The government, the private sector, and the community are not well equipped to deal with the wide-ranging implications of COVID-19. The government's public health response to COVID-19, including closing the borders, has prevented entry of the disease into the country. However, it has come at a high economic cost. Income-generating opportunities are scarce and mostly based on natural resources. Exports have been hit hard because of COVID-19. As a small, open economy, the country is highly dependent on exports, which represent 42% of gross domestic product (GDP). The formal social protection system is limited in both programs and coverage, and therefore the government's ability to directly support the poorest and most vulnerable through existing programs is constrained. Solomon Islands is prone to disasters caused by natural hazards. When tropical cyclone Harold struck in early April 2020, the country's thin capacity was stretched even further by having to respond to two shocks simultaneously. The country is ranked 145th of 160 countries in the United Nations economic vulnerability index. These fragilities highlight the country's nonlinear development path and need for significant support from development partners.
Impact

Resilient and environmentally sustainable development with effective disaster risk management, response, and recovery

All Solomon Islanders have access to quality health care

Project Outcome

Description of Outcome

Adverse effects of COVID-19 on businesses and the population reduced

Progress Toward Outcome

Implementation Progress

Description of Project Outputs

Measures to combat the entry and spread of COVID-19 in Solomon Islands delivered

Measures to provide social assistance to vulnerable groups enhanced

Economic stimulus delivered

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)
Geographical Location
Nation-wide

Safeguard Categories

Environment
C
Involuntary Resettlement
C
Indigenous Peoples
C

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design
During Project Implementation

Contact

Responsible ADB Officer
Hodge, Matthew W.
Responsible ADB Department
Pacific Department
Responsible ADB Division
Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office in Sydney, Australia (PLCO)
Executing Agencies
Ministry of Finance and Treasury

Timetable

Concept Clearance
19 Feb 2022
Fact Finding
11 May 2020 to 18 May 2020
MRM
28 May 2020
Approval
24 Jun 2020
Last Review Mission
-
Last PDS Update
24 Jun 2020

Funding

Grant 0708-SOL

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
24 Jun 2020 26 Jun 2020 08 Jul 2020 30 Jun 2021 - 03 Jun 2021
Financing Plan
  Total (Amount in US$ million)
Project Cost 10.00
ADB 10.00
Counterpart 0.00
Cofinancing 0.00
Grant Utilization
  Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Cumulative Contract Awards 18 Jan 2023 10.00 0.00 100%
Cumulative Disbursements 18 Jan 2023 10.00 0.00 100%

Loan 3938-SOL

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
24 Jun 2020 26 Jun 2020 08 Jul 2020 30 Jun 2021 - 03 Jun 2021
Financing Plan
  Total (Amount in US$ million)
Project Cost 10.00
ADB 10.00
Counterpart 0.00
Cofinancing 0.00
Loan Utilization
  Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Cumulative Contract Awards 18 Jan 2023 10.00 0.00 100%
Cumulative Disbursements 18 Jan 2023 10.00 0.00 100%

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.

Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

Title Document Type Document Date
Solomon Islands: COVID-19 Rapid Response Program Validations of Project Completion Reports Aug 2024

Related Publications

None currently available.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

No tenders for this project were found.

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

None currently available.