How AI can help developing countries rebuild after the pandemic

Technology has been a lifeline to developing countries during the COVID-19 crisis, helping to ug-business owner uses her phone for mobile banking-Anna Koblanck IFCmaintain essential services and keep companies in business. It has also offered a glimpse of a brighter future, one in which gains in income and employment are driven by technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Even before the pandemic, commercial uses for AI were expanding rapidly in emerging markets, in fields ranging from manufacturing and energy to education and financial services. The necessary lockdowns and travel restrictions imposed by countries have accelerated that trend. Companies like Clinicas de Azucar in Mexico are using AI to analyze data and improve health outcomes for thousands of at-risk diabetic patients. In India, 1mg uses AI to help customers compare prices for medical services from different labs.

Continue reading

eC2:  Opportunities to promote gender considerations and empowerment in low-carbon value chains.

Deadline:  01-Oct-2020 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)

Mongolia women trade

The objectives of the assignment are to:

i. Review women’s role in forest-related livelihoods and economic activities, women’s access to low carbon value chains and constraints to and opportunities around such access including good practices in selected Emission Reductions Program countries.
ii. Recommend specific measures to mitigate risks and empower women to be engaged in low carbon livelihood value chains.
iii. Develop 4 detailed feasibility studies for piloting low-carbon women dominated value chains.

Continue reading

Pandemic Threatens Human Capital Gains of the Past Decade, New Report Says

 

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic threatens jakartahard-won gains in health and education over the past decade, especially in the poorest countries, a new World Bank Group analysis finds. Investments in human capital—the knowledge, skills, and health that people accumulate over their lives—are key to unlocking a child’s potential and to improving economic growth in every country.

Continue reading

eC2: AQUACULTURE WASTE MANAGEMENT STUDY AND TECHNICAL TRANSFER PLANNING

Deadline:  05-Oct-2020 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)solid waste

The overall objective of this consultancy is better aquaculture waste management in Pakistan through technical transfer of aquaculture waste management from Korea to Pakistan. The consultancy tasks are composed of three sub-tasks; (1) compiling aquaculture waste management baseline study in Pakistan with coordination with the World Bank Task Team and the Pakistani counterparts; (2) analyzing suitable advanced aquaculture techniques to be transferred to Pakistan, focusing but not limiting on advanced environmentally friendly less waste aquaculture techniques in Korea; and (3) developing two-years practical technical transfer plan from Korea to Pakistan, based on findings and recommendations of the (1) and (2) studies.

Continue reading

Automated Water Kiosks Provide Continuous Water for Malawians During COVID-19

STORY HIGHLIGHTS malawi

  • Replacing Lilongwe’s manually-operated water kiosks with automated systems helps reduce congestion and contact, lowering COVID-19 risk
  • The automated systems have also reduced the cost of water by 65%, allowing for increased hygiene and handwashing for households dependent on water kiosks
  • The new kiosks are financed through the World Bank-supported COVID-19 response package, implemented by the Lilongwe Water Board

eC2: Support Private Sector Participation in LGUs Water Supply and Sanitation Systems

Deadline:  28-Sep-2020 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) water

The objective of the assignment is to undertake the following: (i) support the province in preparation for the DBO/DBL through capacity building and perform collaborative activities with national government agencies through NEDA to ensure that WSS subprojects are in sync and within the implementation reforms that will be instituted under the currently approved PWSSMP, specifically the achievement on the KPIs and proper operationalization of the Unified Resource Allocation Framework (URAF); (ii) strengthen technical and economic analysis of the projects; (iii) assist in the market survey to ensure robust interests of the private sector; and (iv) support the preparation of an O&M plan .

Continue reading

Top COVID-19 (coronavirus) news this week

Muhammad Ali Pate, Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank by Creativenekosaid “the COVID-19 pandemic has put years of global progress to end preventable child deaths in serious jeopardy,”  referencing a new joint UN-World Bank report on child mortality. Meanwhile, this week highlights the World Bank’s support in Angola and Mongolia’s health systems.

Continue reading

eC2: South Asia Water Initiative (SAWI) Rivers and Plastics – A Diagnostic Report for the Indus Basin in Pakistan

Deadline: 21-Sep-2020 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) water

The assignment includes but not limited to gap analysis of relevant existing policy and institutional architecture, stakeholder consultations, developing and implementing a methodology for sampling, testing, and data analysis of macro/microplastic load, and providing actionable recommendations based on primary and secondary research.
Firms responding to this EOI must have direct, relevant experience in river/marine pollution data collection and analysis and interventions, as demonstrated by relevant project case histories and depth and breadth of staff expertise. Interested firms or consortia must have a local office and presence in Pakistan to be eligible.

Continue reading